Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced his 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Belgian coach made some notable omissions in his squad, with the likes of Khuliso Mudau, Evidence Makgopa, and Fawaaz Basadien failing to make the cut. A total of seven Orlando Pirates players were selected compared to the six of Sundowns.
In the past, the Bafana squad would mostly consist of Downs players, but with the club’s current form, Hugo Broos has opted to put faith in Pirates stars.
“For the moment the level is not like last year. 𝗣𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 signed many players, they need to settle in,” said the Bafana coach.
Regarding Sundowns, the ex-Cameroon head coach explained why he omitted Mudau. “At 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀, at the moment Mudau is not playing. Ribeiro, there is a problem. They struggle with that.
“𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 is better than last year, but still not at the level you expect from a top team.For me, 𝗦𝗲𝗸𝗵𝘂𝗸𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗲 play the best football right now.”
Can Broos help Bafana qualify?
Bafana need just two wins to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Nigeria and Lesotho coming to South Africa next month, South Africa could book their ticket to the USA in the coming week. This can happen if FIFA decides against docking points from Bafana over the Teboho Mokoena issue.
Broos could be the first Bafana Bafana coach to qualify for a FIFA World Cup since Carlos Queiroz. The Belgian coach guided South Africa to the Afcon semi-finals last year and is regarded as one of the best coaches to have coached Bafana.
Will Bafana qualify for 2026 World Cup?
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