Bafana Bafana Squad To Face Eswatini And Ivory Coast Confirmed

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his final squad to face Eswatini and Ivory Coast in the upcoming international friendlies. South Africa will host Eswatini on the 13th of October, before travelling to the AFCON host nation Côte d’Ivoire on the 17th of October 2023.

Two weeks ago, Broos had named a 36-man preliminary squad and had since trimmed down the squad to 23-man ahead of the international break. Themba Zwane made the final squad after picking a head injury and missed a place in the preliminary squad, he was replaced by Kaizer Chief’s playmaker Pule Mmodi.

The upcoming friendlies are preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda in November before heading to Ivory Coast for the AFCON. Bafana Bafana are unbeaten in their last nine matches, winning six matches and drawing three.

One name that stands out is the new Kaizer chiefs signee, Sibongiseni Mthethwa. The Ox is the only Amakhosi representative in the squad, there was no Kaizer Chiefs player in the preliminary squad before Pule Mmodi was called to replace Themba Zwane.

Here is the full Bafana Bafana squad to face Eswatini and Ivory Coast squad:

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

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Maphosa Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Paseka Mako (Orlando Pirates), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport United), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Njabulo Blom (St Louis City, US), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Sibongiseni Mthethwa (Kaizer Chiefs)

Forwards: Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, US), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Percy Tau (Al Ahly SC, Egypt), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Lebo Mothiba (RC Strasbourg, France), Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)

🇿🇦⚽️squad for the two upcoming international friendly matches as they continue preparing for the 2024 AFCON @SAFA_net @10bet_ZA @LeCoqSportif_SA @CastleLagerSA pic.twitter.com/sYxCP6PR4H

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 5, 2023