WeeklySA_AdminREUNION: TAU MISSES OUT ON PRELIMINARY SQUAD FEATURING ONLY FOUR OVERSEAS-BASED PLAYERS OUT OF 32
By Sports Reporter
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named a 32-man preliminary squad for the FIFA Series international friendlies pilot programme in Algeria later this month.
The event, which will run from 18 – 26 March, will be the national team’s first reunion since their exploits at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, where they managed a historic third-place finish last month.The FIFA event will run from 18 to 26 March 2024 and it will be the first time that Broos reunites with his team since beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-off to win bronze at the continental tournament in Côte d’Ivoire last month.
Notably Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma received the nod for his impressive form for the Soweto giants in recent outings, while Romania-based former Amakhosi defender Siyabonga Ngezana also makes the list.
Up front, AmaZulu duo Mlondi Mbanyjwa and Tshepang Moremi have also caught the eye of the Belgian mentor, while several others who missed out on an AFCON spot also received recognition.
Bafana will play the first match against Andorra at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba on Thursday, 21 March, before facings the hosts at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Tuesday, 26 March.
The squad will be trimmed next week before they depart for North Africa the following week.
Full 32-man preliminary Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Ricardo Goss (Supersport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu)
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Bradley Cross (Golden Arrows), Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau (all Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki (both Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Goodman Mosele (Chippa United), ¨Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Thabang Monare (Pirates), Grant Margeman (SuperSport)
Forwards: Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko (both Sundowns), Zakhele Lepasa, Evidence Makgopa, Patrick Maswanganyi (all Pirates), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Mlondi Mbanjwa, Tshepang Moremi (both AmaZulu), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch), Elias Mokwana (Sekhukhune United)
