Bafana Bafana: Hugo Broos Names 44 Man Prelim Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

• Hugo Broos has announced his preliminary squad for South Africa's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
• Bafana Bafana will face the Benin Republic and Rwanda during the international break in November
• The Belgian manager will trim the list to 23 players ahead of the qualifying clashes later this month

Hugo Broos has named Teboho Mokoena, Zakhele Lepasa, and 42 others in his preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The South African men's national team will face the Benin Republic and Rwanda in the qualifiers later this month. Bafana will face Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, before heading to Huye to face Rwanda.

The Belgian manager has included 44 players in his preliminary squad and is expected to cut the list down to 23 before the two games, according to a report by FARPost.

Medeama SC players, owner, stadium, players, trophies, world rankings

Football

There are some new faces in the squad, with Polokwane City forward, Oswin Appollis making the list and Orlando Pirates striker, Evidence Makgopa returning to the squad.

South Africa's Preliminary 2026 Qualifiers Squad

Goalkeepers: Veli Mothwa, Melusi Buthelezi, Ronwen Williams.

Defenders: Bradley Cross, Thapelo Maseko, Aubrey Modiba, Thabiso Monyane, Mothobi Mvala, Siyanda Xulu, Taariq Fielies, Thapelo Xoki, Themba Mantshiyane, Ime Okon, Thapelo Morena, Sfiso Hlanti, Khuliso Mudau, Sydney Mobbie, Grant Kekana, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Given Msimango.

Midfielders: Njablu Blom, Miguel Timm, Thabang Monare, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Sphephelo Sithole, Ethan Brooks, Mlungisi Mbunjana, Teboho Mokoena, Grant Margeman, Jayden Adams.

Forwards: Mihlali Mayambela, Percy Tau, Zakhele Lepasa, Lyle Foster, Lebogang Mothiba, Themba Zwane, Evidence Makgopa, Khanyiso Mayo, Monnapule Saleng, Tshepang Moremi, Elias Mokwana, Bongokhule Hlongwane, Oswin Appollis.

Exciting news! We have a WhatsApp channel 🤩

➡️ Click to join our channel for all your favourite sports news.

Plateau United players, owner, stadium, coach, trophies, world rankings

Football

SAFA’s financial woes mounting

Sports Brief previously reported that it has been alleged that the current Bafana Bafana camp is unhappy after not receiving payments linked to recent matches.

This would be another episode in a long-running series that most recently had South Africa's women's team unhappy just before the Women's World Cup.

A publication, currently with the Bafana Bafana squad in Abidjan, reported inside information they had gathered regarding a payment dispute involving SAFA.