Wildcards and returns: The unexpected names in Bafana’s preliminary squad

Hugo Broos delivered one of his most intriguing gambles yet when he released a 54-man preliminary Bafana Bafana squad on Monday afternoon — an unusually broad pool that mixes regulars, long-term prospects and several unexpected names. 

With the AFCON set to kick off in Morocco on 21 December, and Broos expected to trim this group down to a final 23-man squad in the coming days, every inclusion and omission has taken on added significance.

Within that extended list, five names stood out above the rest — not because of their talent, but because their call-ups arrived earlier, later or stranger than many anticipated.

Brandon Petersen | Kaizer Chiefs

Petersen’s recall remains surprising even amid his excellent club form. For months, Broos appeared settled on Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss as his main goalkeeping options, leaving Petersen on the outside. 

His return suggests either an opening in the depth chart or an acknowledgment of his resurgence at Chiefs — but it still disrupts what looked like a fixed hierarchy.

It appears the 31 year old's nine clean sheets in 14 outings so far may be forcing an opening in the goalkeeping department. 

Tylon Smith | Queens Park Rangers

The 20-year-old forward’s inclusion is arguably the most unexpected. Despite his CAF Young Player of the Year nomination, Smith has made a slow start to life in the English Championship with QPR and has never featured for the senior national side. 

His selection indicates long-term planning, yet the timing — ahead of a major tournament — makes him a genuine wildcard.

Fawaaz Basadien | Mamelodi Sundowns

Basadien has battled for game time since joining Sundowns, and his absence from recent Bafana camps suggested he had slipped down the pecking order. 

The 28 year old has played just 263 minutes this season across all competition, with a single start to his name in Chloorkop.

His versatility at left-back and left midfield remains valuable, but his inclusion still comes as a mild shock given his limited minutes.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane | Minnesota United

Many had assumed Broos had moved on from Hlongwane after more than a year without a call-up and no appearance in a final 23-man squad across multiple camps. 

His resurgence into the preliminary list points toward a potential redemption arc, but remains surprising given his inconsistent form in MLS.

Shandre Campbell | Club Brugge

Campbell’s place in the squad highlights Broos’ commitment to blooding the next generation. 

The 20-year-old, who missed the recent U20 World Cup, is widely viewed as a future senior star — but seeing him included this early, ahead of a major AFCON tournament, is still unexpected.