South Africa national team head coach Hugo Broos announced his final list of players to represent Bafana Bafana for two important 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Liberia. Bafana and Liberia are both currently on zero points following defeats to Morocco in their respective Group K opening matches, making the late March clashes essentially a home-and-away final for second place in the group and a ticket to the finals in Ivory Coast. The first match will take place on March 24 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg before the teams meet again in Monrovia on March 28.
Domestic champions Mamelodi Sundowns are well represented in Broos’ group with eight players from the Brazilians among the 24 players selected. Themba Zwane and rising star Cassius Mailula arrive from Sundowns to form part of a potent attacking group that also includes Burnley FC striker Lyle Foster, Al Ahly’s Percy Tau and another DStv Premiership star in Monnapule Saleng of Orlando Pirates.
Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena leads the midfield group while former Kaizer Chiefs player Njabulo Blom is included after a strong start to life with expansion team St. Louis FC in the United States’ Major League Soccer. Luke Le Roux earns another call to the team after continuing to earn regular playing time with top tier Swedish side Varbergs.
Speedy Sundowns fullbacks Thapelo Morena and Aubrey Modiba are in the group of defenders along with the Brazilians’ regular center back starters Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana. Orlando Pirates captain Innocent Maela joins club teammate Nkosinathi Sibisi and Broos favorite Nyiko Mobbie of Sekhukhune United looks set to continue as a member of the Belgian coach’s eleven. Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is the incumbent and will have AmaZulu’s Veli Mothwa and SuperSport United’s Ricardo Goss as his backups.
The full list of players is below.
