Coach Hugo Broos announces final squad for Bafana Bafana's World Cup qualifiers

With the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers heating up, coach Hugo Broos has unveiled his final squad for the upcoming matches against Lesotho and Nigeria.

This announcement comes as South Africa's national football team, Bafana Bafana, prepares for two crucial fixtures at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The first match sees Bafana Bafana facing Lesotho on 5 September. Lesotho have chosen the Free State Stadium as their temporary home ground. Just four days later, on 9 September, the South African side will host their long-standing rivals Nigeria in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

Currently riding high at the top of Group C with an impressive 13 points from six matches, Broos' squad is on the brink of securing qualification for the World Cup in North America. With a five-point cushion over second-placed Rwanda and a significant gap over third-placed Benin, Bafana Bafana now find themselves in a strong position heading into these decisive matches.

Remarkably, Nigeria, a traditional powerhouse in African football, occupies a disappointing fourth place with only seven Group C log points.

The stakes couldn't be higher as Broos aims to guide his team to successful outcomes, which would not only bolster their qualification hopes but also restore pride in South African football.

With the eyes of the nation upon them, Bafana Bafana will seek nothing less than victory in these pivotal clashes against both Lesotho and Nigeria. The spirit of determination is alive as they strive to mark their territory on the road to the World Cup.

Before the announcement of the squad, Broos emphasised the importance of remaining vigilant against a resurgent Lesotho side. “The biggest mistake the South African players can make is underestimating Lesotho,” he remarked. “Remember this Lesotho team held Nigeria to a draw in Nigeria, so we must not make the mistake of underestimating them. We beat Lesotho before, so we must beat them again.”

This cautionary sentiment resonates with the realities of international football, where even the underdogs can spring surprises. Broos noted that, despite Nigeria's poor start, they remain a threat, asserting that “we knew from the start that the team we had to beat is Nigeria, and even though they started badly, they can still qualify.”

Bafana Bafana squad:

Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, Sydney Mobbie, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndame, Ime Okon, Samukelo Kabini, Siyabonga Ngezana, Teboho Mokoena, Luke le Roux, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Lyle Foster, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Mohau Nkota and Mduduzi Shabalala.