Broos names final 23-man Bafana squad for World Cup qualifiers

Hugo Broos on Tuesday trimmed eight players from his Bafana Bafana squad to play Zimbabwean and Ghana in 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers at the beginning of September.

South Africa will play Zimbabwe in Harare on September 3 and Ghana at FNB Stadium on September 6, and Broos initially named a youthful preliminary 31-man squad last week, but has now cut it to 23.

Those who have missed out from the original squad are Mamelodi Sundowns’ Mosa Lebusa and Sphelele Mkhulise, Orlando Pirates’ Innocent Maela, Golden Arrows goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana, Kaizer Chiefs’ Njabulo Ngcobo, AmaZulu midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe, and Portugal-based Sphephelo Sithole and Kabomelo Kodisang.

Maela is injured and has not played a competitive game for Pirates so far this season, while Sundowns’ Mkhulise and Chiefs’ Ngcobo have seen their playing time severely limited.

Sithole is out because of Covid-19, while Lebusa is also injured.

Mlungwana was the goalkeeper dropped, according to Broos, because he is overweight.

“It was rather difficult, because we already had two players injured,” said Broos.

“Maela and Lebusa were in the 23 so we needed to have other players. We also looked at players who had been playing (for their clubs). We also had a problem when we selected the 31 players, but this is a problem for the moment, so we had to choose a bit of a mix of players who have been playing and others who have not.”

Broos added that he would only select his captain once the players are in camp from next week.

“I wanted to wait … to have all 23 players. For example I could have said Lebusa, and he is not there. So now I will discuss with the coaches and the team who is best to choose.”

The Belgian, meanwhile, is confident his side can get off to a good start to their World Cup qualifying campaign in Harare against Zimbabwe.

“There is the quality, but on the other side there is something more, for the technical team to put into the team, that is good mentality and fighting spirit. That is certainly something we will need in Zimbabwe, also against Ghana, but that is at home, in the first game Zimbabwe will be waiting for us, they are our neighbours so we will need a very good fighting mentality.”

Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa Bruce Bvuma.

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie, Rushine De Reuck, Thapelo Morena, Siyanda Xulu, Thibang Phete, Thabani Dube., Sibusiso Mabiliso

Midfielders: Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena, Ethan Brooks, Mothobi Mvala, Yusuf Maart, Njabulo Blom.

Strikers: Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Gift Links, Evidence Makgopa, Victor Letsoalo, Percy Tau, Luther Singh, Thabiso Kutumela.