South Africa Call Up Two Uncapped Players for World Cup Squad, Omit Morena and Maswanganyi

Coach Hugo Broos produced few surprises, largely retaining the players who secured Bafana Bafana's first appearance at a global finals in 16 years.

South Africa will face co-hosts Mexico in the tournament opener on 11 June, followed by Group A matches against Czech Republic in Atlanta (18 June) and South Korea in Monterrey (24 June).

Centre-back Makhanya, aged 22, plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, while Cross, 25, who once featured in Newcastle United's academy, is a left-back for local Soweto side Kaizer Chiefs.

Neither was involved in qualifying, but the need for greater defensive depth prompted their inclusion. Regular left-back Aubrey Modiba has also been selected despite missing the second leg of Sunday's CAF Champions League final for Mamelodi Sundowns due to a hamstring injury.

Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the attack, and Broos views Zwane's experience and ball control as vital to the team, with 19 of the 26 players based in the South African league.

Thapelo Morena would likely have made the squad but misses out through injury, while Patrick Maswanganyi was not included despite helping Orlando Pirates to their first domestic championship in 14 years.

The World Cup will be a swansong for Belgian tactician Broos, aged 74, who has already confirmed he will retire from coaching after the finals.

The former defender quit international football as a player after the 1986 World Cup, also hosted in Mexico, where he helped Belgium finish fourth.

“I know those players who had to drop out will be very disappointed tonight,” Broos said. “There were some very difficult decisions to be made. I hope I have chosen the right ones.”

South Africa have appeared in three previous World Cup finals, debuting in 1998. They qualified again in 2002 and hosted the tournament in 2010, exiting at the group stage on each occasion.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)

Fixtures: