Molefi Ntseki names South Africa’s CHAN Squad

Molefi Ntseki has announced the South African Men’s National Team squad set to compete in the highly anticipated African Nations Championship (CHAN) next month.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed on Thursday that the former Kaizer Chiefs coach, Ntseki, will lead the team as the head coach for the tournament.

The CHAN tournament, exclusively for players competing in their home nations, will take place across East Africa in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from August 2nd to 30th, 2025.

The South African Football Association has announced the squad that will represent the country at the CAF African Nations Championship next month. The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Friday, 25 July 2025. @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/Y1GK9kaqmE

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) July 24, 2025

The timing of the CHAN competition, coinciding with the start of South Africa’s domestic football season, presented significant challenges in player availability. This scheduling clash is reflected in the squad’s composition, with twelve of the selected players currently free agents, including Zakhele Lepasa, whose departure from Orlando Pirates is yet to be officially announced.

Despite this, Mamelodi Sundowns lead the club representation with five players released for national duty. Overall, the squad features nine uncapped players, signalling a fresh look for the national team in this continental event.

Bafana Bafana are scheduled to assemble in Johannesburg on Friday and will remain in camp before departing for Uganda on Sunday, August 3rd, 2025.

The CHAN tournament kicks off on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, with co-hosts Tanzania facing Burkina Faso in Dar es Salaam at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

South Africa finds itself in a challenging Group C, alongside Uganda, Niger, Guinea, and Algeria. Ntseki’s charges will play their opening match against Algeria on Friday, August 8th, 2025.

Bafana Bafana CHAN Squad