- Preliminary Squad Announcement: Hugo Broos has revealed a 48-man preliminary squad for South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, indicating preparation for key upcoming matches.
- Notable Player Selections: The squad includes experienced players like Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Evidence Makgopa, Mihlali Mayambela, and Ime Okon, highlighting a mix of seasoned talent and new faces.
- Upcoming Fixtures and Venues: South Africa will play against Lesotho on September 1 and Nigeria on September 8 in Bloemfontein, with matches hosted on home soil due to stadium standards.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has unveiled a 48-man preliminary squad in preparation for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria. The announcement, made via the official South African Football Association (SAFA) channels, sets the stage for crucial fixtures scheduled in early September.
Notable selections include seasoned goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, midfield powerhouse Teboho Mokoena, and attackers Evidence Makgopa and Mihlali Mayambela. Interestingly, Ime Okon, a Nigerian-born defender currently playing for Hannover in Germany, has also been included, alongside experienced campaigner Themba Zwane.
Broos will refine the squad before heading into camp next weekend. South Africa will travel to face Lesotho at the Free State Stadium—the match being held on home soil on 1 September, due to Lesotho’s stadiums not meeting CAF standards. This will be followed by a high-stakes encounter with the Super Eagles of Nigeria on 8 September, also in Bloemfontein.
This early selection signals Broos’s intent to build depth and competition within the squad, keeping ambition and national pride alive as Bafana pursue qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA.
