Broos names Bafana squad for October friendlies

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his final 23-member squad for the international friendly matches in October.

Bafana will take on eSwatini on 13 October at 18:00. They will then travel to Ivory Coast on 17 October 2023.

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Broos is using the two matches to finetune his squad ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa is also set to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.

“We have again three injured players for the moment, players who played in the previous games,” he said.

 “It’s a pity, but I think for 80-85 percent that the team is made [for AFCON].

“There can be changes, certainly there can be changes, but I’m very happy that we are already so far,” said Broos on Thursday.

“With those two games now, Eswatini and Côte d’Ivoire, I can really make the choices next month for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.”

HUGO BROOS ON THE INCLUSION OF PASEKA MAKO

“First of all he’s better than last season. He plays good at the moment for Orlando Pirates, he’s quick and he’s very aggressive in duals.

“What I like is because he’s a defender and he is very offensive also. So this is always a quality, if you have that quality in your team it’s also very important,” explained Broos.

“Defensively he’s not bad, not at all, the only thing maybe you can tell is he’s not a tall player. That can maybe sometimes be a problem if you play against teams with tall players.”

BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD FOR UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL BREAK

GOALKEEPERS:
Ronwen Williams [Mamelodi Sundowns], Veli Mothwa [AmaZulu FC], Ricardo Goss [SuperSport United]

DEFENDERS:
Nyiko Mobbie [Sekhukhune United], Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Nkosinathi Sibisi [Orlando Pirates], Aubrey Modiba [Mamelodi Sundowns], Paseka Mako [Orlando Pirates] Mothobi Mvala [Mamelodi Sundowns], Siyanda Xulu [SuperSport United], Khuliso Mudau [Mamelodi Sundowns]

MIDFIELDERS:
Njabulo Blom [Sr Louis FC], Teboho Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Sphephelo Sithole [C.D Tondela], Sibongiseni Mthethwa [Kaizer Chiefs]

FORWARDS:
Mihlali Mayambela [Aris Limassol], Percy Tau [Al Ahly], Zakhele Lepasa [Orlando Pirates], Lyle Foster [Burnley], Lebo Mothiba [Strasbourg FC], Monnapule Saleng [Orlando Pirates], Bongokuhle Hlongwane [Minnesota], Themba Zwane [Mamelodi Sundowns].