Smith and Campbell get the nod as Zwane is left out of Bafana's 2025 AFCON squad 

With 20 days left until the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off, Hugo Broos has named his final 23-man Bafana Bafana squad for the tournament.

Broos announced the squad virtually to the SABC on Monday afternoon, as he still remains in Belgium with his family and will fly out to the USA for Friday’s FIFA World Cup draw.

Regulars in Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena and Oswin Appollis feature in the team that will kick off their campaign against Angola on December 22.

After concerns about the fitness of Themba Zwane, Broos has opted against calling up the Mamelodi Sundowns man for the tournament. 'Mshishi' has battled injuries that go back half a year, including an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury.

Youngsters Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell have been picked with an eye on the future.

Smith was named Best Player of CAF U-20 AFCON in May and subsequently secured a move away from Stellenbosch to English Championship side Queen Park Rangers.

Tshepang Moremi is rewarded after playing 19 games and scoring 8 for Orlando Pirates so far this season.

Iqraam Rayners is dropped down to the standby list with Elias Mokwana among the forwards picked to lead the line for South Africa.

“In the past months, we looked at several games of Elias in Al-Hazem and he was playing very good even though he didn’t play really on his position,” Broos explained to the SABC about his selections.

“They use him as a striker, as a central striker. But that means also for us that if we should need someone there, we can always use Elias. At the other way, he’s in very good shape and I like wingers who are very quick, I like wingers who have action and I think Elias is someone like that.

“About Relebohile, I like him as a player. He’s a very good player, he’s a very talented player. Had a few problems now in the past week with an injury, so I was very happy to see him play again with Pirates, and that’s why I didn’t doubt one second to take him with the selection.”

Lyle Foster is also in the mix and will participate in his first continental competition, having missed the last Africa Cup of Nations for mental health reasons.

South Africa are in Group B of the 2025 edition, up against Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe.

Bafana go into camp on 8 December, after Saturday's Carling Knockout Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants.

BAFANA BAFANA FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Thabang Matuludi, Tylon Smith, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi

Midfielders: Teboho Mokeona, Bathusi Aubaas, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Sipho Mbule, Elias Mokwana, Shandre Campbell, Relebohile Mofokeng.