Bafana Bafana coach Broos names 17 homegrown players for AFCON campaign

South African national team manager Hugo Broos revealed on Monday a 28-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, featuring 17 players from domestic clubs ahead of the tournament starting December 21 in Morocco.

While many of the 24 participating countries will lean on players plying their trade in Europe, previous winners Senegal appear set to overlook talents from their own league entirely.

The 73-year-old Belgian coach unveiled his selections for the continent's flagship football competition, which includes two reserves travelling with the team, Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell, plus three others staying behind in South Africa.

Defender Smith currently features for Queens Park Rangers in England's Championship, while forward Campbell is on the books at Club Brugge in Belgium's top division.

"They may not see action during the event, yet I believe it valuable for them to immerse in the world of international football," Broos explained in a chat with public broadcaster SABC.

Regulations permit squads of up to 28 for the competition held every two years, though the Confederation of African Football will cover costs for just 23 players while the event unfolds in the North African nation.

Repeating his approach from the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast, where Bafana Bafana secured bronze, Broos continues to trust performers from the South African Premiership.

His picks encompass nine from Orlando Pirates and five from Mamelodi Sundowns, the current frontrunners in the domestic league nearing its midpoint.

Standing out among the Pirates selections is young defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, aged 20, who sources suggest is close to signing with Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer post-tournament.

The sole representative from a top-five European league is forward Lyle Foster of Burnley.

Ten members from the 2024 AFCON group return, led by skipper and shot-stopper Ronwen Williams, famed for denying four penalties in the quarter-final triumph against Cape Verde.

In an interview with SABC conducted from his residence in Belgium, Broos expressed his ambition to "make it to the semi-finals at minimum once more".

Bafana Bafana's Group B opponents include Angola, seven-time title holders Egypt, and Zimbabwe. The group victors and second-placers advance to the knockout rounds, joined by the top four among the six third-position finishers.

Squad

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

Defenders: Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi (both Pirates), Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau (both Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (Molde/NOR), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB/ROM)

Midfielders: Oswin Appollis, Thalenthe Mbatha, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Pirates), Bathusi Aubaas, Teboho Mokoena (both Sundowns), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem/KSA), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela/POR)

Forwards: Evidence Makgopa, Tshepang Moremi (both Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley/ENG), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq/KSA)

Travelling stand-bys: Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge/BEL)

Non-travelling stand-bys: Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch), Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Coach: Hugo Broos (BEL)