Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced his 23-man squad ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
The call-ups come as South Africa looks to recover after FIFA docked points from a previous 3-0 win over Lesotho. The ruling was based on Teboho Mokoena being fielded despite accumulating two yellow cards in the first leg, which should have triggered an automatic suspension. As a result, FIFA awarded the points and the 3-0 result to Lesotho, dropping Bafana to second in the group behind Benin on goal difference.
The rest of the group sees Nigeria and Rwanda on 11 points each, Lesotho on nine, and Zimbabwe trailing on four. Every match now carries extra weight as Bafana push to secure qualification.
BAFANA BAFANA FACE ZIMBABWE AND RWANDA
Bafana will kick off with Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, 10 October 2025 at 17:30, before closing the double-header against Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday, 14 October 2025 at 18:00.
Looking back, South Africa beat Zimbabwe 3-1 in June at the Free State Stadium. Bafana responded to Tawanda Chirewa’s opener with a Thapelo Morena brace and an Iqraam Rayners goal.
Rwanda, however, handed Bafana one of their toughest lessons in November 2023, winning 2-0 in Butare with goals from Innocent Nshuti and Gilbert Mugisha. That defeat still lingers, making the Mbombela clash about revenge as much as qualification.
23-MAN BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers:
- Ronwen Williams
- Ricardo Goss
- Sipho Chaine
Defenders:
- Malibongwe Khoza
- Khuliso Mudau
- Aubrey Modiba
- Khulumani Ndamane
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi
- Thabang Matuludi
- Samukelo Kabini
- Nkosinathi Sibisi
Midfielders:
- Teboho Mokoena
- Sphephelo Sithole
- Bathusi Aubaas
- Thalente Mbatha
Forwards:
- Thapelo Morena
- Oswin Appollis
- Sipho Mbule
- Iqraam Rayners
- Lyle Foster
- Tshephang Moremi
- Mohau Nkota
- Relebohile Mofokeng.