Bafana Bafana Head Coach Hugo Broos has announced his final 23-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be held in Ivory Coast.
The squad is dominated by DStv Premiership log leaders, Mamelodi Sundowns, with about 10 players.
Twenty of the squad members are locally based, while only three are foreign based.
“If we do not go past the group stages, we will not be happy, and that is for sure.
I think that has to be the first goal.
You know, going past the group stages is one of the most difficult things to do in the tournament,” said Broos.
The squad will assemble for camp on 4 January 2024, before travelling to Stellenbosch for a week-long training camp.
Before departing for the west African country, Bafana Bafana will play a training match against neighbours Lesotho behind closed doors at the Lucas Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville.
Notable absentees include striker Lyle Foster who plays for English Premier League outfit Burnley.
The 23-year-old has only just featured for his club, after he requested a month-long break to focus on his mental health challenges.
Foster took a month-long mental health break after the club announced that he was receiving special care for his mental health challenges.
Broos however expressed his disappointment that he couldn’t include Foster in the squad.
“I’m not happy that he’s not there, because he’s a very good striker.
But again, this is a medical decision, I can’t do anything about it,” explained Broos.
France Ligue 1 club Strasbourg striker Lebogang Mothiba was also not included in the squad due to an injury.
Bafana Bafana are placed in Group E that includes Tunisia, Mali and Namibia.
Here’s the rest of the squad that will represent the country at AFCON:
