Bafana Bafana Coach Broos announces 31-man squad for World Cup qualifiers

South Africa coach, Hugo Broos has announced a 31-man preliminary squad for the two upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana.

Bafana Bafana will kick off their qualifying campaign with a visit to Zimbabwe on 3 September before host Ghana on 6 September.

Broos, back in the country after months in Europe, kept faith in Ronwen Williams while also including Bruce Bvuma in the squad.

Veli Mothwa, a hero for Bafana Bafana during the COSAFA Cup, has also cracked the nod alongside Sifiso Mlungwana of Golden Arrows.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs dominate the defence with four and three players respectively in the latest squad.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is seeing Mothobi Mvala of Mamelodi Sundowns in the squad but the midfielder has no doubt earned his stripes.

Hugo Broos – Bafana coach

Broos’ squad looks prolific upfront with the likes of Thabiso Kutumela, Evidence Makgopa, Percy Tau, Luther Singh and Victor Letsoalo in the team.

Full Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United FC), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows FC)

Defenders: Defenders: Sydney Mobbie, Rushine De Reuck, Thapelo Morena (all Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Siyanda Xulu (Haopel Tel Aviv FC, Israel), Thibang Phete (Os Belenenses, Portugal), Thabani Dube, Njabulo Ngcobo (both Kaizer Chiefs FC), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Sibusiso Mabiliso (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates FC)

Midfielders: Kobamelo Kodisang (FC Braga B, Portugal), Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena (both SuperSport United FC) Mothobi Mvala, Sphelele Mkhulise (both Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Sphephelo Sithole (Os Belenenses FC, Portugal), Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United FC), Siyethemba Sithebe (AmaZulu FC)

Forwards: Thabiso Kutumela (Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United FC), Gift Links (Aarhus GF, Denmark), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Victor Letsoalo, (Royal AM FC) Percy Tau (Brighton and Hove Albion FC), Luther Singh (FC Copenhagen, Denmark).

Credit: The South African