Bafana Bafana Preliminary Squad Announced for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers vs Zimbabwe and Rwanda
Bafana Bafana Preliminary Squad Announced for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers vs Zimbabwe and Rwanda. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named a 38-man preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, featuring a mix of experienced players and emerging talents from both local and international clubs. The squad announcement, made on Monday, 23 September 2025, comes as South Africa prepares for crucial Group C matches, with the team set to face Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 October 2025 and host Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on 14 October 2025. This selection aims to secure vital points in the qualification campaign, where Bafana currently sit in a competitive position after earlier wins against Lesotho and Nigeria.
Goalkeepers: A Solid Backbone
The preliminary squad includes four goalkeepers, led by captain Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns, who has been in exceptional form both domestically and in the CAF Champions League. Joining him are Ricardo Goss from Sivuthe FC, Sipho Chaine from Orlando Pirates, and Darren Johnson from Amazulu FC. Williams, with over 40 caps, brings leadership and reliability, having kept clean sheets in recent qualifiers. Broos has emphasised the need for depth in this position, given the demanding travel and potential for injuries in African qualifiers.
Defenders: Blend of Youth and Experience
The defensive line features 10 players, showcasing a balance between seasoned internationals and promising youngsters. Key names include Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Ngezana (Sekhukhune United), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Khuluman Indamane (TS Galaxy FC), and Thabo Moloi (Stellenbosch FC).
Notable inclusions are Ngezana, who has impressed in the PSL with his aerial prowess and tackling, and young Dortley, a 21-year-old making waves at Chiefs. Broos has praised the group’s versatility, with several capable of playing multiple positions to adapt to different opponents. This depth is crucial against Zimbabwe’s physical style and Rwanda’s counter-attacking threats.
Midfielders: Creativity and Control
The midfield boasts 12 players, highlighting Broos’ focus on control and creativity. Standouts include Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth FC, England), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Sekhukhune United), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City FC), Ndumulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City FC), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), and Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates).
Mokoena, a key figure in Bafana’s recent successes, provides defensive solidity, while young guns like Mofokeng—nicknamed “Rele”—add flair with his dribbling and vision. The inclusion of overseas-based Le Roux brings European experience from England’s Championship league. This unit is expected to dominate possession and create chances for the forwards in the upcoming fixtures.
Forwards: Firepower Up Front
The attacking options number 12, led by prolific striker Lyle Foster of Burnley FC in England, who returns after a strong start to the Championship season with five goals in eight games. The list includes Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Elias Mokwana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch FC), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), and Keleletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune FC).
Tau, with 15 international goals, remains the talisman, while Foster’s physical presence adds a new dimension. Youngsters like Mayambela, playing in Cyprus, bring fresh energy. Broos has stressed the need for clinical finishing, especially against defensive setups like Rwanda’s.
Coach Broos’ Strategy and Selection Rationale
Hugo Broos, who took over in 2021 and led Bafana to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in 2024, named this expanded preliminary squad to allow for assessments during training camps. The final 23-man squad will be trimmed before the matches. Broos explained his choices in a press conference: “We have a good mix of experience and youth. Players like Percy and Ronwen provide leadership, while the youngsters bring hunger. These games are crucial for our qualification hopes.”
South Africa sits second in Group C behind Benin, with wins over Lesotho (2-0) and Nigeria (1-0) earlier in the campaign. Zimbabwe and Rwanda, both winless so far, present opportunities for maximum points, but Broos warns against complacency: “African qualifiers are tough; every team fights hard at home.”
The squad reflects Broos’ preference for PSL-based players, with 80% from local clubs like Sundowns (10 players) and Pirates (9). Overseas stars like Foster and Tau add quality, but the coach has criticised some for inconsistent club form.
Matches and Qualification Path
The qualifiers are part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African campaign, expanded to 48 teams with Africa allocated 9-10 spots. Group C includes South Africa, Benin, Lesotho, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe. Bafana’s home game against Zimbabwe on 10 October at Moses Mabhida—capacity 56,000—expects a full house, while the away fixture vs Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on 14 October leverages home advantage despite being “away” on paper.
Winning both could put South Africa on 10 points, strengthening their bid for automatic qualification (group winners advance). The top four runners-up enter playoffs for additional spots.
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