Thapelo Maseko, Thabang Monare Among 5 Bafana Bafana Players Dropped for Nigeria, Zimbabwe Clashes

• Hugo Broos has officially named his preliminary squad for the World Cup qualifiers
• Five players have been dropped from the side that were selected for the last team
• Thapelo Maseko is currently injured but hopeful to return to action in the Nedbank Cup

Hugo Broos is getting ready for Bafana Bafana’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

South Africa will face Nigeria and Zimbabwe next month, looking to claim the top spot in their tightly contested group.

With the first game against the Super Eagles steadily approaching, the Belgian has now named his preliminary squad.

SAFA noted that Broos has named his preliminary 36-member squad, while the final 23-member team will be announced in the next few days.

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Sports Brief now looks at five players featured in the previous national team squad who have been dropped.

5 players dropped by Hugo Broos

Bradley Cross

The 23-year-old was selected for the previous Bafana squad that took on Andorra and Algeria, but never made his official debut.

The defender played for FC Schalke 04's under-19 team and Newcastle United’s under-21 team but now plays for Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Siyanda Xulu

Xulu first made his debut for the national team in 2012 and is still playing for the side 12 years later.

He was part of the AFCON side that finished third in Ivory Coast, but has now been dropped for the upcoming fixtures.

Xulu has received much criticism from fans for his recent performances.

Thabang Monare

Monare is another of the old guard who first made his debut in 2015.

Now 34, the Orlando Pirates man may not get back into the squad if South Africa qualifies for the 2026 tournament.

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It's not just the national team that Monare could be cut from, as reports indicate Pirates will not renew his contract.

Goodman Mosele

The central midfielder was given a chance in the national side by Broos in 2022, but has just made three appearances for the national team.

Mosele has fared better at club level, impressing with Chippa United where he is on loan from Pirates.

Thapelo Maseko

Maseko’s unfortunate axing has less to do with form and more with injuries.

The Mamelodi Sundowns winger was injured during the AFCON, missed the semi-final fixture against Nigeria, and will now miss another game against the Super Eagles.

Maseko currently has an ankle injury, but is hopeful that he can return in time for the Nedbank Cup final against Pirates, The Citizen reported.

Maseko earns recognition from FIFA

Sports Brief reported how Thapelo Maseko caught the attention of FIFA after his recent performances.

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He was named the AFL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) and earned a Bafana call-up for AFCON as a result.

He also impressed at the tournament, and FIFA then named him one of the top five players to watch.