Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is going to have a serious headache trimming his preliminary squad from 36 to 23 players.
Broos, who has already booked a place for Bafana in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast in January, will play two friendly matches against Namibia and DR Congo before the continental tournament.
His charges will also start their qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup later this year, which will be co-hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada.
Since the start of DStv Premiership season early in August, players are raising hands to be part of Broos’ team. Six new players have been called up after impressing for their clubs in the new campaign.
Ime Okon of SuperSport United, Mlungisi Mbunjani (TS Galaxy), Keagan Allan (Moroka Swallows), Thabiso Monyane, Sipho Chaine (both Orlando Pirates) and Zuko Mdunyelwa of Chippa United have impressed so far in the league and will want to grab the opportunity to cement their places in the national team.
Given Msimango has been called up before but has never received his first cap.
He gets another opportunity to impress and will be watched by the technical team with an eagle’s eye when Kaizer Chiefs face AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
France-based Lebo Mothiba also makes his return to the Bafana set-up after a long time out of the national team.
These players will face stiff competition from the regulars who have staked a claim in the team, as well as from improving players who are plying their trade in overseas clubs.
Broos is giving all the deserving players a chance, and this is an encouragement for them to continue working hard because the door is always open for emerging players.
A bigger pool of players to choose from will give Broos a nice headache when time arrives to select the team.
Commenting about the upcoming friendly matches, Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao said: “These matches are in support of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos as he continues with his preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations in the beginning of next year, and the start of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in November this year.”
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