Top Players Missing As Hugo Broos Names Preliminary Bafana Bafana Squad for WCQ

• Hugo Broos has announced the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for their World Cup qualifying games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October
• The Belgian tactician included 45 players on the list and would trim it to a final 23-man squad before the games
• There are several notable names missing from the list, while some players also returned to the national team set-up

With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers nearing their final stretch, South Africa's national team head coach, Hugo Broos, has named his preliminary squad for the decisive fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

Bafana Bafana will face Zimbabwe on Matchday nine of the World Cup qualifiers on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Three days later, they will travel to Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga to battle Rwanda in the final qualifier.

South Africa will need maximum points from these two games after securing positive results against Lesotho and the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their last two qualifiers at the Free State Stadium.

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Both the Zimbabwean Football Association (ZIFA) and the South African Football Association (SAFA) have confirmed the venues for the upcoming fixtures.

Broos names 45-Man Bafana squad

Broos has unveiled a 45-man preliminary Bafana Bafana squad to face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their last two World Cup qualifiers. However, some big names are missing, including Percy Tau, Thembinkosi Lorch, Tshegefatso Mabasa, and Elias Mokwana.

Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane misses out due to injury, but Polokwane City defender Thabang Matuludi makes his return to the squad after recovering from an injury.

Kaizer Chiefs stars Thabiso Monyane and Mduduzi Shabalala were included on the list. Sphephelo Sithole is also making a return to the team after being out of the squad for some time.

Here is Bafana Bafana's preliminary squad:

Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Rarren Johnson (AmaZulu FC), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

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Defenders: Keegan Allan (AmaZulu FC), Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FC, Norway), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Thabo Molisane (Stellenbosch FC), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Zuko Mdunyelwa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Mbekezile Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates

Midfielders: Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth FC, England)

Forwards: Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch FC), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkotya (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United).

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FIFA's rule that indicts Bafana emerges

Briefly News also reported that the FIFA rule, which indicted South Africa over the ongoing issue of fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in one of the World Cup qualifiers, has emerged.

The football governing body was silent about the whole issue before opening proceedings against Hugo Broos' side.

Source: Briefly News