South Africa Coach Hugo Broos Boosts Local Talent With 17-Player AFCON 2025 Squad

South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, will rely heavily on domestic talent for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, with coach Hugo Broos including 17 local-based players in his squad. The 73-year-old Belgian tactician unveiled a 28-man roster on Monday, which also features two travelling stand-bys and three non-travelling reserves.

Most of the continent’s teams will turn to Europe-based footballers, with former champions Senegal reportedly unlikely to include any domestic league players. Broos’ decision underscores his trust in South African Premiership talent as he looks to replicate the success of the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast, where the team finished third.

The squad includes nine players from Orlando Pirates and five from Mamelodi Sundowns, who currently occupy the top two positions in the national league. Among them is 20-year-old centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi of the Pirates, who is expected to join Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire following the tournament. Burnley striker Lyle Foster is the team’s only representative from a club among Europe’s top five leagues.

Broos Aims For At Least Semi-Finals With Balanced Squad

Ten players from the 2024 AFCON squad return, including captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who made a notable impact by saving four penalty shootout kicks in the quarter-final against Cape Verde. Broos emphasized that the mix of experienced internationals and local talent will be critical to the team’s chances.

Speaking from Belgium, Broos said, “I hope to at least reach the semi-finals again. This squad has the quality and balance needed to compete at the highest level. Including local players not only strengthens the team but also gives young South African stars invaluable exposure.”

CAF Expands WAFCON to 16 Teams Ahead of 2026 Tournament in Morocco

South Africa is drawn in Group B alongside Angola, seven-time champions Egypt, and Zimbabwe. The tournament format allows section winners and runners-up to advance to the knockout stage, along with the best four of six third-placed teams.

The final squad includes goalkeepers Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, and Ronwen Williams; defenders Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Samukele Kabini, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane, and Siyabonga Ngezana; midfielders Oswin Appollis, Thalenthe Mbatha, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng, Bathusi Aubaas, Teboho Mokoena, Elias Mokwana, and Sphephelo Sithole; and forwards Evidence Makgopa, Tshepang Moremi, Lyle Foster, and Mohau Nkota.

Travelling stand-bys Tylon Smith and Shandre Campbell will accompany the squad, while Thabo Moloisane, Iqraam Rayners, and Mduduzi Shabalala remain in South Africa as non-travelling reserves.