There have been a few new names in Hugo Broos’ latest preliminary Bafana Bafana squad ahead of the friendlies against Namibia and DR Congo.
One of the biggest surprises was the inclusion of 18-year-old teenager Ime Okon, who had an incredible start to the new campaign under Gavin Hunt at SuperSport United.
Okon was tipped for a first-team breakthrough this season by club CEO Stan Matthews at their annual awards ceremony after an impressive first season in the reserve team.
He was instrumental alongside the likes of Gape Moralo and Shandre Campbell as they won the DStv Diski Challenge and several earned first-team promotions and Okon made his DStv Premiership debut in the season opener against Richards Bay.
After his impressive displays, Hunt labelled him as the club’s current “best player” and his fine performances have earned him a call-up by Broos.
Also in the squad are uncapped Orlando Pirates duo Sipho Chaine and Thabiso Monyane. Chaine is one of four goalkeepers after his superb displays since taking over the number one spot at the Buccaneers.
Monyane, 23, has also impressed under Jose Riveiro, making 24 appearances under Jose Riveiro in Pirates’ double-winning campaign – with his pace, physicality and attacking threat adding a new option at the right-back spot.
There are also first call-ups for the main Bafana squad for Keagan Allan (Moroka Swallows), Zuko Mdunyelwa (Chippa United) and Mlungisi Mbunjana (TS Galaxy). While the trio have represented the nation in Cosafa or CHAN fixtures, this is the first time they’ve been selected by Broos.
Allan, a former Mamelodi Sundowns junior, has developed well since getting first-team opportunities with Tuks and Swallows. Mdunyelwa, a former Cape Town City diski team defender has come of age at Chippa, while journeyman Mbunjana has been in great form for TS Galaxy.
There is also Given Msimango, who is still uncapped for Bafana, but had been in previous preliminary squads when he was still at TS Galaxy.
Last but not least, Broos also called up Lebo Mothiba after his fine start to the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign under Patrick Vieira. Mothiba, 27, has already made 14 caps for Bafana, the last in November 2019, but had not been part of Broos’ selections before.
Broos will cut down his 36-player selection to 23 names before the two friendlies.
