South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has named 17 locally based players in his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on December 21 in Morocco. While many of the 24 participating teams are expected to rely heavily on Europe-based talent, former champions Senegal are unlikely to select any players from their domestic league.
Broos, 73, released a provisional 28-man list for the continent’s premier football tournament, including two travelling standbys — Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell — and three non-travelling reserves who will remain in South Africa. Smith, a central defender with English Championship side Queens Park Rangers, and Campbell, a winger at Belgian giants Club Brugge, have been selected primarily for development purposes.
“Neither is likely to play at the tournament, but I want them to experience life as international footballers,” Broos told South Africa’s public broadcaster SABC.
AFCON regulations permit teams to name 28 players, though only 23 will be fully funded by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) while in Morocco. As he did for the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast — where Bafana Bafana finished third — Broos has once again placed his trust in domestic Premier Soccer League (PSL) performers.
The squad features nine Orlando Pirates players and five from Mamelodi Sundowns, the two teams leading the PSL standings. Among the Pirates contingent is 20-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who is reportedly close to joining Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer after the tournament. Burnley striker Lyle Foster is the only call-up from a club in Europe’s top five leagues.
Ten players from the 2024 AFCON squad return, including captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who famously saved four penalties in the quarter-final shootout victory over Cape Verde.
Speaking from Belgium, Broos said he hopes South Africa can “at least reach the semi-finals again.” Bafana Bafana have been drawn into Group B alongside Angola, seven-time champions Egypt, and Zimbabwe. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed sides, will advance to the knockout stages.
Squad List
Goalkeepers:
Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns, capt)
Defenders:
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi (both Orlando Pirates); Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau (both Mamelodi Sundowns); Samukele Kabini (Molde/NOR); Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City); Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy); Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB/ROM)
Midfielders:
Oswin Appollis, Thalenthe Mbatha, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates); Bathusi Aubaas, Teboho Mokoena (both Mamelodi Sundowns); Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem/KSA); Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela/POR)
Forwards:
Evidence Makgopa, Tshepang Moremi (both Orlando Pirates); Lyle Foster (Burnley/ENG); Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq/KSA)
Travelling Stand-bys:
Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers/ENG), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge/BEL)
Non-travelling Stand-bys:
Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)
