Hugo Broos has announced his final Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana.
South Africa are starting their qualification campaign for the 2022 tournament in Qatar with a clash against the Warriors on 3 September before facing the Black Stars three days later.
Broos had announced an initial 31-man squad but cut it down to 23 after the first round of DStv Premiership fixtures. He confirmed that Mosa Lebusa and Innocent Maela were cut due to injuries, while Yaya Sithole os out due to COVID-related issues.
Bafana have been drawn in Group G alongside Zimbabwe, Ghana and Ethiopia, being the only side of the four that failed to qualify for next year’s AFCON tournament.
However, they will enter the games with some new confidence after lifting the COSAFA Cup without conceding a single goal.
The Bafana Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport Utd), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rushine De Reuck (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs), Thibang Phete (Belenenses), Austin Dube (Kaizer Chiefs), Sibusiso Mabiliso (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielders: Sipho Mbule (SuperSport United), Teboho Mokoena (SuperSport United), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy)
Forwards: Thabiso Kutumela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gift Links (Aarhus), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka), Victor Letsoalo (Bloem Celtic/Royal AM), Luther Singh (FC Copenhagen), Percy Tau (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Players cut:
Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows)
Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns, injured)
Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates, injured)
Njabulo Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs)
Kobamelo Kodisang (Braga B)
Sphelele Mkhulise (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Sphephelo Sithole (Belenenses, COVID-related)
Siyethemba Sithebe (AmaZulu)
