Broos names preliminary squad for World Cup qualifiers
New Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his preliminary squad for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe and Ghana next month, sticking with many of the players who won the COSAFA Cup last month.
It is a largely inexperienced squad as Broos stuck to his word that he would select a younger group to begin a new cycle for the national team.
“We based a little bit of our selection on COSAFA, it was a fantastic tournament for South Africa. I saw all the games and it was a young team. It helped me a lot to know players,” Broos said.
“Also the Olympics, the results were not what we expected. But it was interesting to see the players and their qualities. We also looked at the MTN8 at the weekend and past Bafana Bafana matches.”
The squad is an expanded one of 31 players to have cover for possible Covid-19 disruptions, with Ronwen Williams the most experienced of the four goalkeepers.
The likes of new Kaizer Chiefs defensive trio Sibusiso Mabiliso, Thabani Dube and Njabulo Ngcobo have been included, along with the Mamelodi Sundowns quintet of and Sydney Mobbie, Rushine De Reuck, Thapelo Morena, Mosa Lebusa.
The midfield has a youthful look to it too, with the SuperSport United duo of Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena selected, as well as Sporting Braga wing Kobamelo Kodisang and Belenenses star Sphephelo Sithole.
Percy Tau headlines the strikers, along with Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United),
Gift Links (Aarhus, Denmark), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC) and Victor Letsoala (Royal AM). Luther Singh, who has just signed for FC Copenhagen, has also been selected.
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The team will play Zimbabwe in Harare on September 3 at 3pm, before the clash with Ghana in Johannesburg on September 6 at 6pm.
PRELIMINARY SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD:
Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United FC), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows FC)
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie, Rushine De Reuck, Thapelo Morena, Mosa Lebusa (all Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Siyanda Xulu (Hapoel Tel Aviv FC, Israel), Thibang Phete (Belenenses, Portugal), Thabani Dube, Njabulo Ngcobo, Sibusiso Mabiliso (all Kaizer Chiefs), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates FC)
Midfielders: Kobamelo Kodisang (Sporting Braga B, Portugal), Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena (both SuperSport United), Mothobi Mvala, Sphelele Mkhulise (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Belenenses FC, Portugal), Siyethemba Sithebe (AmaZulu), Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United)
Strikers: Thabiso Kutumela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United), Gift Links (Aarhus, Denmark), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Victor Letsoalo (Royal AM), Percy Tau (Brighton and Hove Albion, England), Luther Singh (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)