Cassius Mailula included in Bafana final squad, Percy Tau returns

Hugo Broos has named eight Mamelodi Sundowns players in the 23-man squad for the crunch AFCON qualifiers against Liberia.

Mamelodi Sundowns winger Cassius Mailula is a new face in the Bafana Bafana squad, while Al Ahly star Percy Tau returns as Broos trimmed the 35-member preliminary squad to 23 players.

Mailula, who has scored 14 goals in all competitions for Sundowns this season, has been in great form, which has won the heart of Bafana coach Broos. 

Tau, on the other hand, has turned around his fortunes in recent games, reclaiming his place in Bafana.

He was on the scoresheet when Al Ahly succumbed to a 5-2 defeat at Loftus Versfeld Stadium over the weekend. 

THE 12 PLAYERS LEFT OUT OF THE BAFANA SQUAD 

The 12 players who didn’t make it to the Bafana final squad are Brandon Petersen [Kazier Chiefs], Khuliso Mudau [Mamelodi Sundowns], Siyanda Msani [Richards Bay].

Taariq Fielies [Cape Town City], Miguel Timm [Orlando Pirates], Sphelele Mkhulise [Mamelodi Sundowns], Grant Magerman [SuperSport United], Khanyisa Mayo [Cape Town City]. Pule Mmodi [Golden Arrows], Fagrie Lakay [Pyramid] and Kobamelo Kodisang [Moreirense].

Broos’ charges will report to camp in Johannesburg on Sunday, 19 March 2023. 

Bafana will lock horns with Liberia in a two-legged encounter for the 2023 AFCON qualification. 

The first match will take place at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 24 March 2023, with the kick-off set for 18:00.

South Africa will then jet off to Monrovia to face the West Africans in the second leg on Tuesday, 28 March 2023. 

Bafana will then return back to South Africa a day after the away clash.

Currently, South Africa are in Group K with Liberia and Morocco, with Zimbabwe out of the group due to a FIFA suspension.

The top two finishers in the group qualify for the 24-team AFCON tournament in the Ivory Coast in May and June next year.

BAFANA BAFANA FINAL SQUAD 

GOALKEEPERS 

Ronwen Williams [Mamelodi Sundoowns], Veli Mothwa [AmaZulu], Ricardo Goss [SuperSport United]. 

DEFENDERS 

Nyiko Mobbie [Sekhukhune United], Innocent Maela [Orlando Pirates], Nkosinathi Sibisi [Orlando Pirates], Thapelo Maseko [SuperSport United], Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala [all Mamelodi Sundowns], Siyanda Xulu [Turan Tovuz]. 

MIDFIELDERS 

Luke Le Roux [Varberg Bols], Njabulo Blom [ST Louis], Sphephelo Sithole [Beleneses], Teboho Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns].

FORWARDS 

Monnapule Saleng [Orlando Pirates], Themba Zwane [Sundowns], Zakhele Lepasa [SuperSport United, Cassius Mailula [Mamelodi Sundowns], Mihlali Mayambela [Aris Limasoll], Bongokuhle Hlongwane [Minnesota United], Lyle Foster [Burnley], Percy Tau [Al Ahly]. 

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