Hugo Broos Shuffles Bafana Bafana Squad for FIFA Series Friendlies Against Andorra and Algeria

• Hugo Broos has made changes to the Bafana squad for the FIFA Series friendlies
• FCSB’s Siyabonga Ngezana and Tondela’s Sphephelo Sithole have been replaced
• The camp marks the first time the squad has reassembled since the 2023 AFCON

South Africa head coach, Hugo Broos, has tweaked his squad for the upcoming FIFA Series friendlies against Andorra and Algeria, bringing back a pair of experienced players.

The Bafana Bafana boss initially selected a squad with plenty of new faces, giving 10 players their first taste of international competition.

However, Broos has now had to call up two seasoned campaigners due to reported injury and travel complications.

SuperSport United defender, Siyanda Xulu, and Orlando Pirates midfielder, Thabang Monare, have been called up to replace FCSB’s Siyabonga Ngezana and Tondela’s Sphephelo Sithole.

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"Sithole was ruled out through injury while Ngezana was withdrawn due to travel difficulties in Romania," stated SAFA, as reported by iDiski Times.

Bafana Bafana will kick off their campaign against Andorra on March 21 at the 19 May 1956 Stadium before facing Algeria on March 27 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.

What is FIFA Series all about?

The FIFA Series is a new tournament to be held every two years in March, offering national teams from different regions a chance to test themselves against fresh opposition. This year, Algeria, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia will play host to international matches.

The initiative aims to give national teams outside Europe and South America more opportunities to play competitive matches. The initiative also seeks to strengthen football development globally by fostering competition across continents.

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For Broos' men, it presents a golden chance to test their skills against unfamiliar opponents and continue their rise on the international stage. The camp marks the first time the squad reassembles since their bronze medal performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as reported by the BBC.

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Sports Brief also reported that Broos believes Patrick Maswanganyi could be Themba Zwane's heir.

The 34-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns veteran brought major experience to the squad in Ivory Coast.