By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his final 23-member squad to face Algeria and Andorra in the FIFA Series international friendlies.
This will be the first ever FIFA Series, a biennial invitational football competition that features friendlies between national teams from different confederations, taking place in March of every even-numbered year.
This month five concurrent FIFA Series events will take place in Algeria, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan and Saudia Arabia, who are hosting two events.
Last week Broos named a provisional 32-man squad, however, it included several players from the bronze-winning AFCON squad who are currently carrying injuries.
Now Broos has decided on a final list for the squad that will travel to Algeria in less than two weeks.
Bafana Bafana will play Andorra on the 21st of March, followed by Algeria on the 26th. Bolivia will also be part of the four-team series.
Kaizer Chiefs’ in-form goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma and former Amakhosi defender Siyabonga Ngezana, who now turns out for FCSB in Romania, retained their places from the preliminary squad as return call-ups to the national squad.
Midfielders Goodman Mosele of Chippa United and Grant Margeman of SuperSport United and forwards Mlondi Mbanjwa (AmaZulu), Elias Mokwana (Sekhukhune United) and Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC) are other inclusions.
Bafana Bafana Final Squad List
GOALKEEPERS: Ronwen Williams [Mamelodi Sundowns], Bruce Bvuma [Kaizer Chiefs], Ricardo Goss [Supersport United].
DEFENDERS: Sydney Mobbie [Sekhukhune United], Thapelo Morena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Terrence Mashego [Mamelodi Sundowns], Nkosinathi Sibisi [Orlando Pirates], Aubrey Modiba [Mamelodi Sundowns], Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Tapelo Xoki [Orlando Pirates], Siyabonga Ngezana [FCSB, Romania].
MIDFIELDERS: Teboho Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Goodman Mosele [Chippa United], Sphephelo Sithole [CD Tondela, Portugal], Grant Margeman [SuperSport United].
FORWARDS: Themba Zwane [Mamelodi Sundowns], Oswin Apollis [Polokwane City], Patrick Maswanganyi [Orlando Pirates], Mihlali Mayambela [Aris Limassol, Cyprus], Mlondi Mbanjwa [AmaZulu], Khanyisa Mayo [Cape Town City], Iqraam Rayners [Stellenbosch FC], Elias Mokwana [Sekhukhune United].