Broos names preliminary Bafana squad for Morocco 2025

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has officially announced his preliminary squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Safa has already met the official deadline — last Friday — for all AFCON-bound nations to submit their provisional squads to CAF, with each team allowed to list up to 55 players before trimming down to the final 23.

Attention now shifts to the next key date: December 11, the deadline for submitting the final AFCON 2025 squad lists.

The 2025 edition of AFCON will be staged in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with Bafana drawn in a highly competitive Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe.

Broos has opted for a blend of experience and emerging talent in his initial selection. The Belgian tactician is expected to focus on continuity after South Africa’s encouraging recent performances in AFCON qualifiers and the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification programme.

Bafana will open their campaign on December 22 with a potentially decisive encounter against Angola, a side known for its competitive nature and resilience. Four days later, on December 26, Bafana will face continental giants Egypt, a fixture that has traditionally delivered high drama and intensity.

The final group-stage match is scheduled for December 29, when Broos’ men meet regional rivals Zimbabwe, rounding off what could be a fiercely contested group.

Broos’ selections and tactical approach will be closely watched in the coming weeks, as South Africa aims to build on the growing momentum within the national team setup.

Bafana Bafana preliminary squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates FC), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune FC), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu FC), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs FC)

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Fezile Ngcaba (Durban City FC), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City FC), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC), Khuljumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy FC), Mbebezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates FC), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Midfielders: Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samulelo Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Keegan Allan (AmaZulu FC), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune FC), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates FC), Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Tyloni Smith (Queen's Park Rangers, England), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC),Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth FC, England)

Forwards: Bathusi Aubbas (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Thalente Mkatla (Orlando Pirates FC), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune FC), Siphesihle Maduna (TS Galaxy FC), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City FC), Siphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Masindi Nemtajeia (Orlando Pirates FC), Mthetheleli Mthiyane (Stellenbosch FC), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates FC), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates FC), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates FC), Joram Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Duduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC, England), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy FC), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota SC, USA), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates FC), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch FC), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates FC), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates FC), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune FC), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge, Belgium), Relebogile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates FC), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia)