Evidence Makgopa, Jayden Adams and Mlungisi Mbunjana are some of the surprise inclusions that Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos named in his preliminary squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda in November.
Makgopa, the gangling Orlando Pirates striker, has been struggling to regain his form and has been on the receiving end of booing from some of the cub’s supporters.
Broos has given him another chance which will help boost his confidence.
Other players who were called up as a result of their stellar work in the DStv Premiership include Ricardo Goss, the Golden Arrows duo of Bradley Cross and Themba Mantshinyane, Given Msimango, Taariq Fielies and Ime Okon.
Upfront, Tshepang Moremi, Elias Mokwana and Oswin Appolis have been included to beef up Bafana’s strike force.
Even though they are likely not to make the final squad, being included in the team will do their careers a world of good – it will surely boost their confidence and they will want to work hard to break into the national team.
The stocky Ethan Brooks’ name has also caught football followers by an element of surprise after a long absence from the national team.
Brooks was one of Broos’ favourite players in the qualifiers for the 2022 Fifa World Cup that were halted on the eleventh hour by Ghana in the Cape Coast.
Sifiso Hlanti, who played a game of his life when he marked Mo Sallah of Egypt for 90 minutes in the 2019 Afcon (Africa Cup of Nations), also makes his return to the national team.
Broos’ charges host Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on the weekend of 17-19 November before traveling to Huye to face Rwanda on November 21.
The team will go into camp at the University of Pretoria on November 13 and travel to Durban on November 16.
After playing Benin in the coastal city, they will travel to Rwanda on November 19 and return to South Africa three days later.
The full squad:
Goalkeepers:
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Melusi Buthelezi (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu).
Defenders:
Grant Kekana, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Thapelo Maseko, Thapelo Morena, Khuliso Mudau (all Sundowns), Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thabiso Monyane, Thapelo Xoki (all Pirates) Siyanda Xulu, Ime Okon (both SuperSport United), Given Msimango, Sifiso Hlanti (both Kaizer Chiefs), Bradley Cross, Themba Mantshiyane (both Golden Arrows), Taariq Fielies (AmaZulu).
Midfielders:
Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Grant Margeman (SuperSport United), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Njabulo Blom (St Louis), Miguel Timm, Thabang Monare (both Pirates), Sibongiseni Mthethwa (Kaizer Chiefs), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela), Ethan Brooks (AmaZulu), Mlungisi Mbunjana (TS Galaxy).
Forwards:
Mihlali Mayambela (Aris), Evidence Makgopa, Zakhele Lepasa, Monnapule Saleng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City), Percy Tau (Al Ahly), Lebo Mothiba (Strasbourg), Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Elias Mokwana (Sekhukhune), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota).
