Bafana Bafana squad announced for crucial 2025 AFCON Qualifiers

The 23-man squad blends experience with youth, reflecting the team’s ambition to secure their place at the continental showpiece set for Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026.

Notably, new Kaizer Chiefs signing Rushwin Dortley, who was not in the initial 38-man preliminary squad earlier named, is brought in for the first time for club mate Given Msimango, while Stellenbosch FC left-back Fawaaz Basadien, also a Chiefs target, also makes the cut.

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Meanwhile, Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha also gets his maiden national team call-up after impressing Broos and his technical team – perhaps most recently in the MTN8 quarter-final and semi-final clashes.

Among those missing out from the previous squad that drew with Nigeria before beating neighbours Zimbabwe in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June are forward Percy Tau of Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bathusi Aubaas.

In defence, Ronwen Williams misses out through injury as another Buccaneer in Sipho Chaine stepping in to compete with regulars Ricardo Goss and Veli Mothwa.

Bafana host Uganda on Friday, 6 September at Orlando Stadium – LIVE on SABC 3 at 18:00, before travelling to Juba to take on South Sudan on Tuesday, 10 September – LIVE on SABC 1 at 15:00 (SA time).

Full Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (SuperSport), Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Pirates), Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela SC, Portugal), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates)

Forwards: Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners (both Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng (both Pirates), Elias Mokwana (ES Tunis, Tunisia), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC, England)