Hugo Broos names final Bafana squad for World Cup qualifiers

Hugo Broos has officially announced his final squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.

 

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The coach’s selection comes as Bafana Bafana looks to solidify their position at the top of Group C and secure a spot in the prestigious tournament.

Bafana will play both crucial matches in Bloemfontein at the Free State Stadium. On September 5th, they will face Lesotho, who have chosen the venue as their home ground. Four days later, on September 9th, South Africa will host their fierce rivals, Nigeria, at the very same stadium.

Currently, Bafana Bafana leads Group C with an impressive 13 points from six matches, holding a five-point advantage over both second-placed Rwanda and third-placed Benin. Nigeria is trailing in fourth place with just seven points, making the upcoming clash a must-win for them. A strong performance in these two matches could see South Africa clinch their qualification for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Broos had to trim his initial preliminary squad, making the final announcement on Thursday in Johannesburg. His selection aims to build on the momentum from the team’s strong showing in the 2023 AFCON, where they secured a bronze medal. The coach has largely kept the core of the squad that performed well in the previous qualifiers, demonstrating his trust in the established team.

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