By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named a 38-player preliminary squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.
South Africa will play Uganda away and face South Sudan at home a few days later during the November FIFA International break.
Broos has included several in-form players, with Sage Stephens receiving his first call-up to the national team, his teammate Ashley Cupido returns after featuring in COSAFA and CHAN, but never for the senior side, while Thabang Matuludi also featured at COSAFA.
Al Ahly forward Percy Tau, who has missed several call-ups or been left out by Broos this year and asked to be excluded from this month’s matches against Congo, has been named in the preliminary combination.
Bafana Bafana need a win from one of their last two Group K games to confirm their place among the 16 teams that will participate in the 35th Afcon in Morocco in December 2025 and January 2026.
Bafana Bafana preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sage Stephens, Sipho Chaine
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie, Bradley Cross, Thabang Matuludi, Rushwin Dortley, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau, Thabiso Sesane, Fawaaz Basadien, Siyabonga Ngezana, Grant Kekana
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Bathusi Aubaas, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Thalente Mbatha, Luke le Roux, Ndamulelo Maphangule
Strikers: Evidence Makgopa, Devin Titus, Oswin Appollis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Iqraam Rayners, Mihlali Mayambela, Percy Tau, Elias Mokwana, Relebohile Mofokeng, Sipho Mbule, Ashley Cupido, Yanela Mbuthuma, Thapelo Morena, Bongokuhle Hlongwane.