Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced a preliminary squad of 32 players for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Congo, scheduled for 11 and 15 October. The first match will take place at the scenic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 11 October at 19:00, followed by an away game at Stade Alphonse Massemba-Débat in Congo on 15 October at 18:00 (SA time).
Importance of the Matches
These matches are pivotal as South Africa aims to strengthen its bid for qualification to the Afcon tournament, which will be held in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. After an encouraging recent international window where the team secured four points from a draw with Uganda and a thrilling win against South Sudan, the pressure is on for Bafana to deliver strong performances.
Ronwen Williams: Captain’s Return
A significant boost for the team is the return of captain Ronwen Williams, who has fully recovered from shoulder surgery and is back in action with his club, Mamelodi Sundowns. Williams’s experience and leadership will be invaluable, especially since he was missed during the last FIFA international break.
Notable Squad Inclusions
In addition to Williams, the preliminary squad features several notable players, including Bradley Cross from Kaizer Chiefs, Thabiso Sesane, Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa, Luke Le Roux from Sweden’s IFK Värnamo, Chippa United’s Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Al Ahly’s Percy Tau, and Devin Titus from Stellenbosch FC.
Final Squad Selection
Broos is expected to finalize the squad and reduce it to 23 players by next week, ahead of the impending deadline.
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