South Africa coach Hugo Broos has named a 54-man preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, making South Africa the first nation to formally publish its provisional list for the tournament, as confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The squad, dominated by players from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, will be trimmed to 23 players in early December ahead of the finals, which run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Orlando Pirates contribute the largest contingent with 13 players, followed by Mamelodi Sundowns with 10, reflecting the clubs’ recent deep runs in the CAF Champions League, where Pirates reached the semi-finals and Sundowns finished as runners-up last season.
The strong domestic core underlines Broos’ reliance on players competing regularly at a high level in African club competitions.
The preliminary list includes 12 overseas-based players, among them young Queens Park Rangers fullback Tylon Smith and Club Brugge attacker Shandre Campbell, though local reports suggest AFCON 2025 may come too soon for either to make the final cut.
Other foreign-based call-ups include Burnley striker Lyle Foster, Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Portsmouth midfielder Luke le Roux, and Steaua Bucharest defender Siyabonga Ngezana.
Preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukelo Kabini (Molde, Norway), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Fezile Ngcaba (Durban City), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keegan Allan (AmaZulu), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Malingonwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest, Romania), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers, England), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke le Roux (Portsmouth, England), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), Siphesihle Maduna (TS Galaxy), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Masindi Nematjajela (Orlando Pirates), Mthetheleli Mthinyane (Stellenbosch), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Forwards: Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge, Belgium), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch)
Veteran Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Themba Zwane is included despite being sidelined since mid-September with a knee injury, with Broos clearly hopeful the 36-year-old can prove his fitness after starring in Bafana Bafana’s run to the AFCON 2023 semi-finals. His presence signals the coach’s intent to retain an experienced creative fulcrum at the heart of midfield.
The most notable omission is Wydad Casablanca attacker Thembinkosi Lorch, who has been in strong form in Morocco but remains outside Broos’ plans despite public debate over his exclusion.
SuperSport United striker Bradley Grobler also misses out, fueling discussion among fans and analysts about the balance between form players and established squad members.
Kaizer Chiefs supply four players — goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, defender Bradley Cross, and attacker Mduduzi Shabalala, among them — marking an increase in representation after recent criticism of the club’s limited national-team influence. Petersen’s inclusion stands out after a run of frequent clean sheets at club level this season.
Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has publicly backed Broos’ approach, arguing that the coach is prioritizing cohesion by keeping faith with players who helped secure AFCON 2025 and 2026 World Cup qualification. Other former players have echoed calls for supporters to trust the process, given the limited preparation window before the tournament.
South Africa heads to Morocco aiming to build on the bronze medal from AFCON 2023, the country’s best continental finish since lifting the trophy on home soil in 1996.
Under Broos, the blend of proven performers like Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena with emerging talents such as Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis reflects a strategy of continuity combined with succession planning.
From a Pan-African perspective, the dominance of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in the squad underlines how strong domestic leagues and successful CAF Champions League campaigns can accelerate the development of international-calibre players.
South Africa’s early publication of the provisional list also sets a benchmark for transparency and planning among AFCON 2025 contenders.
South Africa has been drawn in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe, with many observers tipping Egypt and Bafana Bafana as favourites to advance. The clash with seven-time champions Egypt is widely expected to be decisive in determining top spot in the group.
Bafana Bafana’s group fixtures are:
22 December 2025: South Africa vs Angola — Grand Stade de Marrakech
26 December 2025: Egypt vs South Africa — Grand Stade d’Agadir
29 December 2025: Zimbabwe vs South Africa — Grand Stade de Marrakech
CAF regulations require all 24 participating nations to submit final 23-man lists by 11 December 2025, though new rules permit federations to register up to 28 players, with CAF only covering expenses for 23.
The South African Football Association has indicated the final squad announcement will come in the coming days, giving Broos a short window to assess fitness, form, and tactical needs before deciding whether to use the optional extra slots.
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