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Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his 23-man squad in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
Bafana will play international friendly matches against Namibia on Saturday, September 9, 2023 and face DR Congo three days later.
“If I compare now with one year ago, it’s less difficult to pick the squad because now I have a team. Twenty five, 26 players will always be the same. One or two players may still come in, but I have a core,” he expressed.
Broos said Kaizer Chiefs’ players have to improve following the game he saw last Saturday.
He added; “I was at the game of Chiefs [and] I’m very sorry but now for a moment there is no player who deserves to be at Bafana Bafana.”
Trio excluded in Bafana squad
Responding to notable exclusion of United States-based trio of Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Cassius Mailula and Njabulo Blom in the squad, Broos said Hlongwane is injured and can’t be with the team.
“I had a phone call with him yesterday. We are not playing today or Sunday maybe he could be ready for one of the two games but I think it’s better for him to stay there and gives me the opportunity to call someone else, therefore Kodisang is there.
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“With Mailula there was a transfer and adjusting to a new team, he didn’t play so much in the month of August only yesterday. He will stay with us but also now with these games, again, it gives me an opportunity to do something else.
“I don’t know what happens with Blom, sometimes he plays then for two or four weeks he doesn’t. I prefer then to take Margeman and give him a chance to prove himself than to take someone who hasn’t played for the last three weeks”.
The twenty three players selected are as follows;
GOALKEEPERS
Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa and Ricardo Goss
DEFENDERS
Sydney Mobbie, Thabiso Monyane, Grant Kekana, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Audrey Modiba, Siyanda Xulu, Mothobi Mvala and Innocent Maela
MIDFIELDERS
Luke Roux, Teboho Mokoena, Grant Margeman and Bathusi Aubaas
FORWARDS
Mihlali Mayambela, Themba Zwane, Kobamelo Kodisang, Percy Tau, Zakhele Lepasa, Lyle Foster, Lebo Mothiba and Monnapule Saleng
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