Bafana Bafana will welcome their West African counterparts, Nigeria in a highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in June, will there be changes? As the Belgian coach Hugo Broos is expected to announce his squad in the next few weeks, Bafana could have new faces considering that the squad is hit by injuries.
Bafana played Andorra and Algeria last month and there were notable absentees in the national side. The likes of Percy Tau, Lebo Mothiba, and Evidence Makgopa are some of the players who missed the FIFA series friendly matches. While SAFA is yet to announce the venue and kick-off time for the match, the FNB Stadium or Moses Mabhida could be announced as the venue considering the nature of the match.
Sport Plus weighs options on which players can be called up to the national side and face the Super Eagles in this crucial encounter.
Will Coach Broos Make More Changes in His Squad?
Taking a look at his previous squad for the matches in Algeria, Broos cited a shortage of strikers as he opted to invite Khanyisa Mayo and Iqraam Rayners among others. On the other hand, the coach said the unavailability of Mothiba and Orlando Pirates star Evidence Makgopa who are both sidelined through injury is a major concern for him.
Broos Looks to Refresh His Squad Eyeing 2026 World Cup
Fresh from a top-three finish at the AFCON tournament, Broos failed to retain his full-strength squad because of injuries. On top of that, he also wants to refresh his and widen his base considering the age of some of his players. For example, Themba Zwane is already 34, and Thabang Monare. This potentially rules them out of the global showpiece should Bafana qualify.
The veteran duo, Zwane, and the Pirates anchorman, Monare will be 36 by the time the World Cup gets underway as it will be jointly hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America in 2026.
“Certainly, I am also looking to the future. I said it already, there are a few players in our group who will be 35, 34, 36 when the FIFA World Cup is jointly hosted in Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America in 2026,” Broos said last month.
“So yes, we have to look for replacements also. Firstly, we have to see those games as an opportunity to give new players, younger players, to show if they are at Bafana Bafana level. Secondly, we are playing against two different styles of opponents. On one side you have Andorra and you can compare them to Namibia. So, a tough team, a team who will wait and try to be dangerous in transition.”
Players Who Can be Part of the Squad
Besides seasoned campaigners such as Ronwen Williams, Zwane, and Tau, there are some of the players who may be sidelined by Broos. While Rayners might have a chance to make his return to the camp, we take a look at the trio who could be axed.
Khanyisa Mayo:
The Cape Town City striker, Mayo is gifted with an eye for goal but it seems he is failing to impress Broos. The outspoken mentor recently said Mayo should not only focus on scoring goals but also help the team when it comes to defending as well as working hard on improving some elements of his game.
Goodman Mosele:
Mosele has revived his ailing career at Chippa United since he departed from Pirates at the start of the current DStv Premiership campaign. However, he failed to grab his chance with both hands in the last camp in Algeria. He looked out of sorts in the previous two friendlies.
Elias Mokwana:
Mokwana showed his worth against both Andorra and Algeria, there’s no doubt that Broos might not call on him as he builds a squad for the qualifiers and beyond the World Cup. Unlike Mihlali Mayambela, Mokwana was not scared to take on defenders and that is one quality Broos will be impressed with as he can be used as an impact player.
Bafana: The Team That Faced Andorra and Algeria
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana (all Sundowns), Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki (both Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Goodman Mosele (Chippa United), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Grant Margeman (SuperSport)
Forwards: Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Pirates), Khanyiso Mayo (Cape Town City), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Mlondi Mbanjwa (AmaZulu), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch), Elias Mokwana (Sekhukhune United).
Related: Bafana Bafana: Who Are Key Bafana Players For The Nigeria Clash?