Hugo Broos names final Bafana Bafana squad for World Cup qualifiers

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has chosen his squad ahead of the remaining World Cup qualifiers.

The team is currently riding high at the top of Group C with an impressive 13 points from six matches, and a five-point cushion over Rwanda in second place.

South Africa has two crucial games coming up against Lesotho on 5 September and continental giants Nigeria on 9 September, both in the Free State.

“The biggest mistake the players can make is underestimating Lesotho… This Lesotho team held Nigeria to a draw in Nigeria… We beat Lesotho before, so we must beat them again," says Broos.

Included in the final squad are:

• Ronwen Williams
• Ricardo Goss

• Sipho Chaine
• Syndey Mobbie
• Zuko Mdunyelwa
• Mbekezeli Mbokazi
• Aubrey Modiba
• Khulumani Ndamane
• Ime Okon
• Samukelo Kabini
• Siyabonga Ngezana
• Teboho Mokoena
• Luke Le Roux
• Bathusi Aubaas
• Thalente Mbatha
• Kamogelo Sebelebele

• Oswin Appollis
• Patrick Maswanganyi
• Iqraam Rayners
• Lyle Foster
• Mduduzi Shabalala
• Modau Nkota
• Relebohile Mofokeng

Some regular faces from Mamelodi Sundowns were noticeably missing.

Speaking to the media, Broos says it is because they were involved in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Grant Kekana is out due to injury, while Thapelo Morena has only just returned.

He explains that Jaden Adams and Fawaaz Basadien are also not at the level he needs the players to be at ahead of these crucial games.

“I said it also before, this is a higher level, even if you play against Lesotho, you can’t compare it with the PSL…. We have to be careful with that, so that we don’t take a player who is not ready.”