Broos announces Bafana squad for World Cup qualifiers in Bloemfontein

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced his preliminary squad to take on Lesotho and Nigeria in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The South African National Team will take on the two opponents at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein next month.

The first match will be against  Lesotho on Friday, September 5. Four days later, on Tuesday, September 9, Bafana Bafana will face off against their long-time rivals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Both matches will be played on South African soil, as Lesotho does not have a stadium that meets CAF’s standard criteria. The clash against Nigeria is set to kick off at 18:00.

Broos’s preliminary squad includes a mix of new faces and experienced players. Among the new call-ups are AmaZulu FC goalkeeper Darren Johnson, Kaizer Chiefs‘ Bradley Cross, and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Zuko Mdunyelwa. Other notable inclusions are Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), and Gape Moralo (Siwelele FC).

The squad also features several overseas-based players, including Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania), and Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, MLS).

Bafana Bafana is in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, as they currently top Group C with 13 points—five points ahead of second-placed Rwanda. The team’s qualification hopes would be significantly boosted with victories in both upcoming matches.

Broos is expected to trim his preliminary squad before the FIFA international break.

BAFANA BAFANA PRELIMINARY SQUAD