By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his final 26-man squad for the upcoming 2023 Afcon tournament in Ivory Coast.
Broos had named a 50-man squad preliminary squad two weeks ago, but has now cut it down to 23 players as well as three players on stand-by, namely: Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Elias Mokwana and Thapelo Xoki.
“If we do not go past the group stages, we will not be happy, and that is for sure,” the Bafana Bafana coach said after announcing the team for the tournament on Thursday afternoon (28 December).
“I think that has to be the first goal. You know, going past the group stages is one of the most difficult things to do in the tournament. It is like that because you are playing against three opponents that are 100 per cent motivated, and they also want to go past the group stage,” said Broos.
Broos has also confirmed that Burnley striker Lyle Foster is definitely out of the Afcon finals, saying the 24 year-old’s omission is a “medical decision.”
He also revealed that Foster had written to the South African Football Association three weeks ago, asking not to go.
The 24 year-old was given just under two months off the field of play by Burnley to get help with mental health issues, but has played in their last three Premier League games.
The squad is set to assemble for camp on Thursday, 4 January 2024. They will then travel to Stellenbosch for a week-long training camp. Bafana Bafana are also scheduled to play a training match against Lesotho behind closed doors at the Lucas Moripe Stadium before departing for the Afcon tournament’s 34th edition.
The CAF showpiece will take place from 13 January to 11 February 2024. It will be hosted in the cities of Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro.
South Africa will be based in Korhogo and has been drawn into Group E alongside Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia. They will be based in Korhogo and play all their group matches at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.
Bafana Bafana Afcon Final Squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Veli Mothwa
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie, Grant Kekana, Terrence Mashego, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Siyanda Xulu, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams, Thapelo Maseko, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Monare
Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Zakhele Lepasa, Percy Tau, Mihlali Mayambela, Evidence Makgopa.