By Michael Madyira
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has decided to exclude Al Ahly attacker Percy Tau from his final squad for September’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Tau was in the Belgian’s provisional squad but did not make the final selection ahead of matches against Uganda at home on 6 September and away against South Sudan four days later.
Broos cited Tau’s lack of form in recent national team games as the reason for snubbing the player, saying he was protecting the star, who is already being criticised by fans.
Transfer speculation around the former Mamelodi Sundowns star was another reason for his decision.
Another player missing from the squad is injured captain Ronwen Williams, who has sat out Sundowns’ competitive games this season with a shoulder problem.
Williams’ unavailability has paved the way for Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to be selected. Chiefs’ Bruce Bvuma has also been dropped after featuring in the preliminary list.
There is also no place for Netherlands-born Vitesse forward Simon van Duivenbooden, whose initial selection grabbed headlines.
Surprisingly, Stellenbosch defender Fawaaz Basadien and Kaizer Chiefs new signing Rushwin Dortley, a direct replacement for injured Mothobi Mvala, made the squad.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha also made the cut, along with his teammate Relebohile Mofokeng, who made his international debut against Zimbabwe in June.
After going to the 2023 Afcon finals, Sundowns winger Thapelo Maseko, Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa and Mihlali Mayambela were all snubbed, having appeared in the provisional squad.
Bafana Bafana full squad:
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (SuperSport), Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Pirates), Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela SC, Portugal), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates)
Forwards: Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners (both Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng (both Pirates), Elias Mokwana (ES Tunis, Tunisia), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC, England).
Pictured above: Bafana Bafana forward Percy Tau being challenged by a Benin player.
Source: Bafana Bafana
