Football: Hugo Broos names South African preliminary squad for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Kekana, Mvala miss out - Themba Zwane included in shortlist
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is now just a few weeks from kicking off, and South African head coach Hugo Broos has revealed his 54-player preliminary squad in the running to travel to Morocco later this month.
Bafana Bafana have not won the AFCON title in almost three decades (1996), but recent performances have sparked optimism across Mzansi that this could be their year, and we will be covering all their matches in Morocco in our football predictions.
Broos was the first head coach to release his preliminary list for AFCON, and while Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates players dominated the selections, there were several surprise choices made by the Belgian tactician as well.
The most notable exclusions from Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad were Masandawana’s central defensive pairing of Grant Kekana and Mothobi Mvala, as well as former Brighton & Hove Albion striker Percy Tau and Wydad Casablanca’s Thembinkosi Lorch.
Notably, stalwart Themba Zwane made the initial cut despite suffering injuries in recent years, and he is expected to battle against the likes of Patrick Maswanganyi and Sipho Mbule for a place in the team’s engine room.
Among those plying their trade outside of South Africa, Queens Park Rangers defender Tylon Smith, Club Brugge rising star Shandre Campbell, Bongokuhle Hlongwane from Minnesota United and Saudi-based Mohau Nkota have all received the nod.
CAF recently announced that teams participating in this year’s AFCON are permitted to register up to 28 players, five more than the 23 from previous years. The deadline for countries to submit their final squad list is set for December 11.
Bafana Bafana 54-player preliminary AFCON squad
Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Darren Johnson, Renaldo Leaner, Brandon Petersen, Ronwen Williams.
Defenders: Keegan Allan, Fawaaz Basadien, Bradley Cross, Samukelo Kabini, Malingonwe Khoza, Vuyo Letlapa, Thabang Matuludi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Thabo Moloisane, Thabiso Monyane, Thapelo Morena, Khuliso Mudau, Khulumani Ndamane, Fezile Ngacaba, Siyabonga Ngezana, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tylon Smith.
Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas, Luke le Roux, Siphesihle Maduna, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Thalenthe Mbatha, Siphesihle Mkhize, Teboho Mokoena, Mthetheleli Mthinyane, Masindi Nemtajela, Sphephelo Sithole.
Attackers: Oswin Appollis, Shandre Campbell, Ashley Cupido, Puso Dithejane, Lyle Foster, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Keletso Makgalwa, Evidence Makgopa, Patrick Maswanaganyi, Mihlali Mayambela, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng, Elias Mokwana, Tshepang Moremi, Mohau Nkota, Iqraam Rayners, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Mduduzi Shabalala, Themba Zwane.
