Hugo Broos lines up exciting attack for Namibia and DRC

Announcing his final 23-man squad from the SABC Sport studios, trimmed down from the 36-man preliminary squad that was published last week.

Bafana plays neighbours Namibia on 09 September and DRC three days later, both games will take place at Orlando Stadium kicking off at 15:00 and 17:00 respectively. Coach Broos is using these two matches to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers starting in November and also the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast in January 2024.

The Belgian-born coach has kept the core of his team that did duty during the hard fought 2-1 win over 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinalists Morocco in June in their final AFCON qualifier at FNB stadium. In total, he has made five changes to the team that ensured that Bafana are leading Group K, going to the final week of the qualifiers in September.

But it is the long-awaited return of French-based striker Lebo Mothiba to link up with on form forwards like Burnley striker Lyle Foster, who scored his first goal in the English Premier League last weekend, that will excite multitudes of Bafana Bafana fans. The on song Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa, who has scored nine goals in only seven matches and add the evergreen Percy Tau, gives Broos potent striking combinations upfront.

Grant Magerman who has started the new season on a high for SuperSport United, and former junior international Kobamelo Kodisang who is back in the Portuguese Primera Liga with Moreirense FC are also back in the senior national team setup.

Bafana Bafana Squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie, Siyanda Xulu, Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thabiso Monyane, Maphosa Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala

Midfielders: Luke le Roux, Grant Magerman, Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas 

Strikers: Monnapule Saleng, Themba Zwane, Kobamelo Kodisang, Zakhele Lepasa, Percy Tau, Lyle Foster, Mihlali Mayambela, Lebo Mothiba