Hugo Broos announces South Africa's preliminary squad for Nigeria and Lesotho World Cup Qualifiers

...Forwards Pacy Tau, Shandre Campbell are missing in the roster 
By Maxwell Kumoye 
 
 
   The South Africa Football Association (SAFA), is not leaving any stone unturn as they prepare for two crucial World Cup Qualifiers next month, first against the Crocodiles of Lesotho and then against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

They have made public a strong provisional squad made up of 40 players from the domestic league and eight others who ply their trade in America and Europe.

FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG, gathered that Sipho Mbule’s career revival gathered momentum on Thursday afternoon when he was included in Hugo Broos’ preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.

The midfielder was one of 11 players from Orlando Pirates that were named in the 48-man preliminary squad.

New Buccaneer star Kamogelo Sebelebele has been included, as are Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Tshepang Moremi, Deano van Rooyen Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Thalente Mbatha and Patrick Maswanganyi.

From Mamelodi Sundowns, 12 players have been named: Ronwen Williams, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Malibongwe Khoza, Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Bathusi Aubaas, Aubrey Modiba and Iqraam Rayners.

Players six other clubs in the South Africa Premier Soccer League, Kazier Chiefs, Amazulu, TS Galaxy FC, Siwelele FC, Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC also made the provisional roster.

There was also space for Bongouhle Hlongwane, who currently plays for Minnesota United in the MLS, but has not been included in Broos’ final squad for over a year.

Former junior national team goalkeeper Darren Johnson has been included for the first time after impressing AmaZulu. 

The 26-year-old is the son of Grant Johnson, who played for Bafana Bafana in the 90s and is currently the team’s goalkeeper coach.

Absent from the squad is Shandre Campbell, who scored a stoppage time winner for Club Brugge in a Belgian Pro League clash last weekend.

Forward Pacy Tau is not listed for the two important games but 8 foreign base players were called up by the 2017 AFCON winning coach.

Bafana Bafana of South Africa currently leads Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with 13 points. Rwanda and Benin Republic are on 8 points while the Super Eagles of Nigeria are sitting in the fourth spot with 7 points.

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