Afcon qualifiers: Bafana Bafana Preliminary Squad To Face Liberia Confirmed

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named the 35-man preliminary squad for the home and away AFCON qualifiers against Liberia. South Africa hosts the West African team on Friday, 24 March in Soweto at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, and travels to the Liberian capital of Monrovia in preparation for the second leg away on Wednesday, 28 March.

The ban on Zimbabwe’s national team by FIFA made qualification easier for Bafana Bafana, however, they have to win both matches to qualify for the 2024 African Cup Of Nations taking place in Ivory Coast before their final group match against Morocco in June.

Coach Hugo Broos named ten in-form Sundowns players in his preliminary squad following the Tswhane outfit’s dominant display across all 2022/23 soccer calendar competitions. 21-year-old Cassius Mailula was a standout inclusion by the Belgian-born, as his aggressiveness in the forefront and goalscoring boots have helped Sundowns this season. He has scored 8 goals in 13 matches in the league and contributed immensely in the Champions League.

Another Dstv Premiership Red-hot player included is Orlando Pirates forward Monnapule Saleng, Al Ahly Percy Tau, Burnley’s newly signed Lyle Foster, and Moreirense’s Kobamelo Kodisang, who on loan from Braga. Meanwhile, Kaizer Chiefs have only Brandon Peterson representing Amakhosi named among three other goalkeeping options.

The Bafana mentor will cut down the squad to 23 players before their training camp, which stars on Sunday, 19 March 2023.

Here is the 35-man full squad:

Goalkeepers:  Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (Turan-Tovuz IK, Azerbaijan), Siyanda Msani (Richards Bay FC), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United),

Midfielders: Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns ), Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates), Njabulo Blom (St Louis City, USA), Grant Magerman (SuperSport United), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke Le Roux (Vargerb Bois, Sweden), Sphephelo Sithole (Belenenses, Portugal), Sphelele Mkhulise (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forwards: Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City), Lyle Foster (Westerlo, Belgium), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids, Egypt), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota, USA), Pule Mmodi (Golden Arrows), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kobamelo Kodisang (Moreirense FC, Portugal)

Siphamandla Lindwa

Siphamandla Lindwa is a sports writer and a publisher for Bet Central at Bet.co.za. He obtained a B-Tech in Sports Management from Tshwane University of Technology. When not writing sports content, Sipha scouts talent and networks for his future Sports Management agency.