Hugo Broos has announced the final Bafana Bafana squad ahead of their upcoming international friendlies against Panama national football team.
The South African national team will face Panama in two fixtures later this month. The first match is scheduled for 27 March 2026 at Moses Mabhida Stadium, followed by a second encounter on 31 March 2026 at DHL Stadium.
Broos initially named a 37-man preliminary squad but has since trimmed the list down to a final 23 players. Notable inclusions in the revised squad include the recall of Renaldo Leaner of Sekhukhune United, as well as Thabang Matuludi from Polokwane City and Nkosinathi Sibisi of Orlando Pirates.
According to Broos, the final selection reflects an ongoing effort to build squad depth, ensuring a balanced combination of experienced players and emerging talent. He emphasised that the matches against Panama form a crucial part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in June.
The squad announcement will be followed by a training camp beginning on 22 March as the team intensifies preparations for the friendlies. Broos reiterated the importance of peak performance, stressing that the team must be at its best to progress beyond the group stages and improve their chances of advancing deep into the tournament.
He also challenged the players to fully capitalise on this World Cup qualification—South Africa’s first since 2002—and to make a meaningful impact on the global stage.
