By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos named his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which starts next month, at the Union Buildings in Tshwane.
President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the national team in a send-off dinner at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse.
The President was joined by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, the President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Dr Danny Jordaan, members of the technical team, players.
Broos selected his tried and trusted squad but did include two new caps in this 26-player squad.
Defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross were both not involved in qualifying and will make their national team debuts if selected in either Friday’s warm-up fixture against Nicaragua or at the World Cup.
Makhanya is an additional centre-back option while Cross covers left-back, perhaps due to the injury that saw Aubrey Modiba miss the second leg of the CAF Champions league final for Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.
Modiba was named in the squad, along with a third left-back option in Samukele Kabini, who is based in Norway with Molde.
Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the line with 19 of the 26 players based in the South African league, while there is also a place for Themba Zwane, whose calmness and experience is seen as vital.
The six players to miss out from the Bafana preliminary squad named last week were Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, Amakhosi right back Thabiso Monyane, Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe, Durban City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Orlando Pirates playmaker Patrick Maswanganyi, and Mamelodi Sundowns wing-back Thapelo Morena.
“There were hard decisions to make,” said Broos.
“Always when you make a list of players there will be disappointed players. Who doesn’t want to go to the World Cup? I was a player I know how they (the players who missed out) will feel.
“These are very difficult decisions but it is also part of my job to do it and I hope I chose the right names.”
South Africa have appeared in three previous World Cup finals having debuted in 1998. They qualified again in 2002 and hosting the tournament in 2010. They exited in the group stages on each occasion.
Ramaphosa told the squad to go and win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, promising to declare a public holiday if they bring the trophy home.
He firmly stated, “We don’t want group stages, early exits, or elimination!”
The Bafana Bafana 2026 Fifa World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine.
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ime Okon, Khulumani Ndamane, Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Bradley Cross, Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams.
Strikers: Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Themba Zwane, Lyle Foster, Thapelo Maseko.