Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his preliminary squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, and the inclusion of Themba Zwane, despite his ongoing injury, has raised eyebrows. The 36-year-old midfielder has been sidelined since September with a knee injury, casting doubt on his availability for the continental showpiece.
Broos' decision marks a significant shift from his previous stance on injured players. Previously, he was hesitant to include players lacking regular match practice. However, Zwane's experience and influence within the squad seem to have swayed the coach, who is willing to wait and see if the veteran midfielder can recover in time for the tournament in Morocco.
The preliminary squad consists of a whopping 54 players, which will eventually be trimmed down to the final 23. The South African Football Association (SAFA) has indicated that the final squad announcement will be made “in the coming days,” with the deadline for submission being December 11th, just ten days before the tournament kicks off.
Interestingly, the squad features 12 foreign-based players, showcasing the growing influence of South African talent abroad. Domestically, Orlando Pirates lead the way with 13 players selected, followed closely by champions Mamelodi Sundowns with 10.
Key Players and Surprise Inclusions
While familiar faces dominate the squad, there are also a few surprise inclusions. Darren Johnson of AmaZulu, Fezile Ngcaba from Durban City, and Amajita star Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers) have all earned a place in the preliminary squad.
TS Galaxy midfielder Siphesihle Maduna and Stellenbosch's Mthetheleli Mthiyanie have also been given a chance to prove their worth. Furthermore, Elias Mokwana, who plays for Al Hazem in Saudi Arabia, and Shandre Campbell of Club Brugge have been recalled to the national team setup.
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Ricardo Goss (Siwelele)
- Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
The competition for places will be fierce as Broos looks to assemble the strongest possible squad to compete against the continent's best. Bafana Bafana will be hoping to make a significant impact at AFCON and build momentum ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.