AFCON 2023: Tunisia Name Final 27 Man Squad, Man United Star Snubbed
FootballColourful Bafana Bafana Land in Ivory Coast Ahead of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Photos
- Bafana Bafana have arrived in Ivory Coast for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
- South Africa are one of the 24 teams that will participate in the competition
- Hugo Broos' side will kick off their AFCON campaign against the Eagles of Mali
Bafana Bafana have arrived in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from January 13 to February 11.
The 1996 African champions departed from Johannesburg on Thursday, January 11 and will reside at the CAN village in Korhogo.
Bafana Bafana players were spotted in green tracksuits and sneakers, with Percy Tau, Rowen Williams, and Khuliso Mudau all looking stylish.
The team was hosted by the South African FA president Danny Jordaan before departure, with the National team captain handed the SA flag by the country's police service.
The Bafana Bafana squad arrived late at their base in Korhogo airport but were still welcomed by fans and officials.
South Africa will face Tunisia, Mali and Namibia in the group stage. They hope to better their performance in 2019, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by the Super Eagles of Nigeria after beating the host Egypt in the round of 16.
Bafana Bafana are without the likes of Lyle Foster and Lebo Mothiba due to varying reasons, according to a report by iDiskiTimes.
They also had injury issues prior to their departure from South Africa. Mamelodi Sundowns duo Mothobi Mvala and Williams were reportedly nursing minor issues, with the former close to missing the trip.
Broos omits Foster from AFCON squad
Sports Brief previously reported on Belgian coach Hugo Broos naming the final squad for the upcoming AFCON tournament, with Burnley striker Lyle Foster not making the cut.
The squad consists of 23 full selections and three standby players. Broos said before naming the team that he wanted more rest time for the players.
Players will assemble on January 4 and leave for Cape Town the following day before flying to the Ivory Coast on January 10. Percy Tau, Themba Zwane, and Ronwen Williams were included in the squad.