Hugo Broos has announced preliminary squad for the Zimbabwe and Rwanda matches. Image by Blackpagepix
(The Post News) – Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has unveiled a 45-man preliminary squad as preparations step up for next month’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The announcement was made on Monday, 23 September 2025, with Broos once again including Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole, Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi and Evidence Makgopa, who will all be hoping to make the final cut.
South Africa face a decisive double-header in Group C, starting with Zimbabwe at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October, before hosting Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium four days later on 14 October.
Among the key selections, captain Ronwen Williams continues to provide stability between the posts with over 40 caps to his name, while Broos has underlined the importance of goalkeeping depth given the intensity of African qualifiers.
The full preliminary squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Darren Johnson (Amazulu), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United).
Defenders:
Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Zuko Mdunyelwa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukelo Kabini (Molde, Norway), Keegan Allan (Amazulu), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Midfielders:
Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth, England), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia).
Forwards:
Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch).
Bafana currently sit in a competitive position in Group C following earlier victories over Lesotho and Nigeria, and will be aiming to secure maximum points from their remaining fixtures.
Meanwhile, scheduling complications mean both Bafana and Zimbabwe will go into their Durban clash without having trained at the venue, as the stadium will host Botswana against Uganda on 9 October.
Controversy also remain around star midfielder Teboho Mokoena. Despite FIFA opening disciplinary proceedings against him after he featured in the March qualifier against Lesotho while suspended for yellow card accumulation, Broos has still included him in the preliminary list.
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