By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced his preliminary squad for the double-header of friendlies against Panama this month.
South Africa face Panama in two friendlies in the build-up to the World Cup in the US, hosting the Central American side on March 27 and March 31, with Durban and Cape Town as hosts.
The Philadelphia Union centre back, Olwethu Makhanya, who helped his side to top the table at the end of the regular season in Major League Soccer last year, was named among 38 players on Monday.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams is also back after being left out for the Morocco tournament despite playing in the Ivory Coast in 2024 when South Africa finished third.
The squad has no Kaizer Chiefs players, with Broos previously pointing out that his team choice is based on club’s form.
Chiefs struggled to impose themselves at both ends of the pitch, lacking sharpness in attack and cohesion in defence.
Chiefs are 14 points behind leaders Orlando Pirates and second-placed Sundowns, who have hit 44 points.
The preliminary squad will be reduced to a smaller squad for the two friendlies, which will give an indication of who is in line to play at the World Cup in June, where South Africa opens the tournament against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on June 11.
Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Samukelo Kabini (Molde, Norway), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA), Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Morena, Khuliso Mudau, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers, England), Deano van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, USA), Luke le Roux (Portsmouth, England), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mthetheleli Mthinyane (Stellenbosch), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Patrick Maswanaganyi, Yanela Mbuthuma, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns).