Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his 23-man squad to play Morocco in their final Group K Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on June 17.
The two nations are set to battle it out at the FNB stadium with kick-off set at 5pm, to determine the winner of Group K with both sides having sealed qualifications for the 2023 AFCON – which will be hosted in Ivory Coast.
The Belgian tactician initially announced a 34-man preliminary squad last month, which he has trimmed down to 23 players, who will face the Atlas Lions.
Broos cut off 11 names, and the notable players that missed out on the final squad include Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC), Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates) and Kobamelo Kodisang (Moreirense). Burnley striker Lyle Foster is another big-name star left out.
TS Galaxy’s Bathusi Aubaas is the only change in the group that secured qualification against Liberia in March.
19-year-old Thapelo Maseko who plays for SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns’ promising emerging forward Cassius Mailula were also included.
Bafana will now hope to avenge the 2-1 loss they suffered in their first clash away in Morocco last year.
Broos said he feels his squad is more bonded now than when they played their Group K opener in Rabat in June last year.
“I think we have a squad in the true meaning of the word — we have a team,” the coach said announcing his final 23 on SABC Sport.
HOW THE TEAMS QUALIFIED: GROUP K.
Morocco won their first two games in the group, which was reduced to just three teams following Zimbabwe’s ongoing ban from international football by FIFA.
Bafana, meanwhile, qualified during the previous international break after collecting four points from their two clashes with Liberia – meaning they are guaranteed to stay ahead of the Lone Stars.
They will host Morocco, who come into this game on the back of their historical performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first ever African side to reach the semi-finals.
The full Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Siyanda Xulu (Turan Tovuz, Azerbaijan), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Maphosa Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielders: Luke le Roux (Varbergs BoIS, Sweden), Njabulo Blom (St Louis City, US), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (TS Galaxy)
Strikers: Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United), Zakhele Lepasa (SuperSport United), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, US)
