On Tuesday, Hugo Broos, coach of the South African team, announced the provisional list of 35 players called up for the fifth day of the CAN 2023 qualifiers against Morocco.
Three new faces appear. These include centre-forward Iqraam Rayners (27), centre-back Given Msimango (26) and right-winger Kobamelo Kodisang (23). The former, transferred from Supersport United to Stellenbosch (PSL, South African D1) last winter, is enjoying a top-flight second half of the season as he has scored 9 goals and provided 2 assists in 10 appearances since the start of the year. Msimango meanwhile completed a full season with TS Galaxy FC (PSL), playing all of the Rockets’ matches in full (30 matches for 2,700 minutes played and 3 goals). He has a selection with the U23 (October 2019). Finally Kodisang, loaned last summer by Braga B to Moreirense (Portuguese D2), ends a successful exercise (13 goals and 5 offerings in 34 TCC games), which earned him his first call-up to the national team after three capes with the Olympic team in the past.
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) May 23, 2023
Also note the presence of a former missing Bafana Bafana, Njabulo Blom. The midfielder who left the Kaizer Chiefs for St. Louis City in MLS last January (7 league appearances) had not been called up by Hugo Broos since his only cap on September 6, 2021.
Qualification already in hand
The group of 35 will participate in a reduced training camp from May 31 to June 7, the 71-year-old technician announced. The final squad will take part in the training camp which will begin on June 11, after the announcement of the final list reduced to 23 players. As a reminder, the Morocco and South Africa, respectively first and second in Group K – made up of three selections with Liberia, dead last – have already qualified for the final phase of the AFCON 2023 which will take place in Ivory Coast
from January 13 to February 11, 2024. Bafana Bafana will host the Atlas Lions on June 17 at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
The list of 35 Bafana Bafana
Goalkeepers : Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss, Melusi Buthelezi
Defenders : Given MsimangoThapelo Maseko, Sydney Mobbie, Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Taariq Fielies, Siyanda Xulu, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Khuliso Mudau, Mothobi Mvala
Midfielders : Mothobi Mvala, Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas, Njabulo BlomGrant Magerman, Sphelele Mkhulise, Luke le Roux
Attackers Monnapule Saleng, Themba Zwane, Zakhele Lepasa, Cassius Mailula, Kobamelo KodisangKhanyiso Mayo, Mihlali Mayambela, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Percy Tau, Pule Mmodi, Iqraam Rayners
