Sundowns Superstars Lead Bafana’s Charge For AFCON Glory
South African national team head coach, Hugo Broos, has announced a preliminary squad of 35 players ahead of their crucial Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying matches against Liberia. The matches will take place on March 24th at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, with the return fixture in Monrovia on March 28th.
Broos has selected the best available players for the squad, including 10 players from Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the top teams in the country. Among the squad is Cassius Mailula, an impressive young talent who has been in top form for his club.
Notably, only one player from Kaizer Chiefs, Brandon Peterson, has been included, while Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Miguel Timm, and Monnapule Saleng will represent Orlando Pirates.
The squad also features a number of high-profile players, including Lyle Forster, Percy Tau, and Kobamelo Kodisang, who are all currently playing in Eygpt and Europe respectively. Bongokuhle Hlongwane is another player to watch out for in the squad.
The preliminary squad will be trimmed down to the final 23 players in the coming week, ahead of the crucial Afcon qualifiers.
The South African national team, Bafana Bafana, has announced their preliminary squad for upcoming fixtures. The squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs), and Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United).
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Khuliso Mudau, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, and Mothobi Mvala (all Sundowns), Siyanda Msani (Richards Bay), Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi (both Orlando Pirates), Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City), Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United), and Siyanda Xulu (Turan Tovus, Azerbaijan).
Midfielders: Miguel Timm (Pirates), Luke Le Roux (Varbergs BoIS, Sweden), Njabulo Blom (St Louis City, US), Sphephelo SIthole (Belenenses, Portugal), Sphelele Mkhulise, and Teboho Mokoena (both Sundowns), and Grant Margeman (SuperSport).
Forwards: Monnapule Saleng (Pirates), Khanyiso Mayo (CT City), Pule Mmodi (Golden Arrows), Themba Zwane, and Cassius Mailula (both Sundowns), Zakhele Lepasa (SuperSport), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, US), Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids, Egypt), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), and Kobamelo Kodisang (Moreirense, Portugal).
The preliminary squad includes several high-profile players, including Percy Tau and Bongokuhle Hlongwane. The squad is balanced with players from several different clubs, including Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and SuperSport United. The final squad for the upcoming fixtures will be selected from this preliminary squad in the coming days.