Kaizer Chiefs Star In, Sundowns Trio Out As Broos Names Bafana Squad for Lesotho and Nigeria

• Hugo Broos has announced the South Africa national team's final squad that would battle against Lesotho and Nigeria in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers in September
• The Belgian mentor reduced the initial 48-man preliminary squad to a 23-man squad, with 25 players dropped
• Kaizer Chiefs would have a representative in Broos' squad for the first time since Rushwin Dortley's injury

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has released his final squad for South Africa's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against neighbour Lesotho and bitter rivals, Nigeria, in September.

South Africa has enjoyed a good spell in the qualifiers and currently sits on top of Group C with 13 points, with four matches to go. Broos' side is close to securing the qualification ticket for the next World Cup in South America, but they need to get a good result in their next fixtures against Nigeria and Lesotho.

The Belgian tactician released a 48-man preliminary squad a few days ago, with the likes of Percy Tau, Elias Mokwana, and Themba Zwane missing, while Kaizer Chiefs duo Bradley Cross and Mduduzi Shabalala made the list.

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The former Cameroon national team coach has now trimmed the squad to 23 players, dropping some big names that were initially on the list, especially the Mamelodi Sundowns trio.

Broos announces Bafana squad for Lesotho and Nigeria

South Africa will face Lesotho on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and will host the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the same venue a week later.

The match against the Super Eagles is the most anticipated tie in Group C, with the first leg in Nigeria ending in a 1-1 draw at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Kaizer Chiefs star Mduduzi Shabalala has earned his first-ever official call-up to the first team after previously representing Mzansi at the COSAFA Cup earlier this year.

Mamelodi Sundowns trio Jayden Adams, Fawaaz Basadien, and Khuliso Mudau were all dropped from the preliminary squad, while Bathusi Aubaas made the final cut.

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Ime Okon, who is of Nigerian descent, made the final list after recently completing his move to Europe from Premier Soccer League side SuperSport United.

Bafana final squad for WCQ against Lesotho and Nigeria

GOALKEEPERS: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC)

DEFENDERS: Nyiko Mobbie (Siwelele FC), Zuko Mdunyelwa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB)

MIDFIELDERS: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth FC)

FORWARDS: Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Bafana Bafana knocked out of CHAN

Briefly News also reported that Bafana Bafana were knocked out of the CHAN tournament after failing to win their last match in the group stage.

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Molefi Ntseki's men threw away a two-goal lead as they failed to qualify for the quarter-final of the competition.

Source: Briefly News