By Chad Klate
16th March 2023
Broos last week named a 35-man preliminary squad from which his final 23 selection has come ahead of next week's back-to-back Group K qualifiers against The Lone Stars.
Sundowns, who currently top the DStv Premiership log standings by a massive 20 points, make up more than a third of the squad with Ronwen Williams, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane and Cassius Mailula all making the cut.
In fact, the only Downs players to miss out are Khuliso Mudau and Sphelele Mkhulise.
Another third of the squad is also made up of overseas-based players – Siyanda Xulu, Luke Le Roux, Njabulo Blom, Sphephelo Sithole, Mihlali Mayambela, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Lyle Foster and Percy Tau.
Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs have no representation after goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was left out in favour of SuperSport United's Ricardo Goss – who is also on loan from Sundowns, while fellow Soweto giants Orlando Pirates have four players.
The 12 players dropped include Petersen, Mudau, Siyanda Msani (Richards Bay), Taariq Fielies, Khanyiso Mayo (Cape Town City), Thapelo Maseko, Grant Margeman (both SuperSport United), Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates), Mkhulise, Pule Mmodi (Golden Arrows), Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids, Egypt) and Kobamelo Kodisang (Moreirense, Portugal).
Full Bafana Bafana 23-man squad to face Liberia:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala (all Sundowns), Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi (both Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (Turan Tovus, Azerbaijan)
Midfielders: Luke Le Roux (Varbergs BoIS, Sweden), Njabulo Blom (St Louis City, USA), Sphephelo SIthole (Belenenses, Portugal), Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns)
Forwards: Monnapule Saleng (Pirates), Themba Zwane, Cassius Mailula (both Sundowns), Zakhele Lepasa (SuperSport), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota, USA), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt)