SEDIBENG.- For the first time in the history of football four Vaal-based players have been selected in the Bafana Bafana squad at the same time.
Bafana Coach Hugo Broos named his preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup Qualifier against Nigeria and Zimbabwe on June 7 and June 11 respectively. The Vaal-based players who are part of this preliminary squad are Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Tshepang Moremi (Amazulu), Relebohile Mofokeng, (Orlando Pirates), and Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB).
These players were born and bred in Vaal and played for the local amateur development teams such as Vaal Juventus FC, Benfica FC, and Celeb Academy to mention but a few. This is where their talent was developed before they caught the eyes of elite PSL development teams.
It has never happened before that more than two local players have found themselves in the Bafana Bafana team since the days of Augustine Makalakalane and Aaron Mokoena. This is a remarkable achievement for the development of football in Sedibeng (Vaal Triangle). This is the same area where former SAFA president Dr Molife Oliphant comes from.
Vaal is well known for producing household soccer players, referees, and football administrators for the past 20 years. Sedibeng Ster Sport has no doubt these players will make it in Broos’s final squad that will face Nigeria and Zimbabwe in this qualifier fixture on above mentioned dates in Nigeria and Bloemfontein.
Broos selected a pool of players for a camp to select the final squad that will face these two powerhouse football nations. Broos won the hearts of many South Africans when he took Bafana Bafana to the African Cup Of Nations semi-finals before they lost to Nigeria.
The game against Nigeria is going to be interesting taking into consideration the two nations’ history when it comes to football.
