WeeklySA_AdminBOLD: South Africa’s campaign kicks off against Angola on December 22, with teenage prospects Campbell and Smith poised for possible tournament debuts…
By Masoja Cele
Two rookies have been selected for Bafana Bafana’s excursion to Morocco for the Afcon tournament which kicks off in Morocco on December 21.
Coach Hugo Broos has revealed his final squad this week and the South Africans first match against Angola at Stade de Marrakech on December 22. The tournament final is on 18 January next year.
Bafana Bafana are in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe. Their second game is against Egypt on Boxing Day, before completing the group stage against neighbours Zimbabwe three days later.
Bafana will assemble in Pretoria shortly to start preparations for the continental showpiece. Mamelodi Sundown’s Themba Zwane, Jayde Adams and Thapelo Morena all miss out , but two youngsters Club Brugge’s (Belgium) Shandre Campbell and Queens Park Rangers (England ) Tylon Smith have been selected,with the prospect of making their debuts in the tournament.
Bafana will be keen to build on their strong finish during the 2023 continental competition where they finish third. The team features a strong mixture of experienced and emerging talents , reflecting Broos’s balanced approach to compete strongly at the continental competition. Riding the momentum of an impressive World Cup Qualifiers campaign in recent months, Bafana will approach the African spectacle with belief in their capabilities.
Bafana Bafana have won the Afcon once, in 1996, the first time the country took part in the competition as a liberated nation. In their last outing they reached the semis and were knocked out by Nigeria .
The full squad:
GOALKEEPERS:
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
DEFENDERS
Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates).
MIDFIELDERS
Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Siphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela).
FORWARDS
Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (El Ettafaq), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnely FC), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates).
