Bafana Bafana are on the rise. Semi-finalist of the previous African Cup of Nations, in Ivory Coast in 2023, South Africa also brilliantly extricated itself from its qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup to the detriment of Nigeria. Seven months before their first World Cup since the one hosted at home in 2010, the South Africans will first want to shine on the continental scene.
South Africa calendar
The list of selected players
Guardians : Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns/AFS), Ricardo Goss (Swelelele FC/AFS), Sipho Chain (orlando Pirates/AFS)
Defenders : Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns/AFS), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City/AFS), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers/ANG), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates/AFS), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns/AFS), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy/AFS), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB/ROU), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK/NOR), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates/AFS).
Backgrounds : Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns/AFS), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns/AFS), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates/AFS), Siphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela/POR)
Attackers : Sipho Pirates), Evidence Pirates), Ly and Foster (Burnley/ANG), Elias Mokwana We thank you.
Player to watch: Ronwen Williams
The South African goalkeeper is full of experience. With 461 club matches, first at Supersport United then at Mamelodi Sundowns where he has been playing since 2022, Ronwen Williams, who played for Tottenham during his youth, knows his role perfectly. Captain of “Bafana Bafana”, he is as much the boss of the field as the leader of the locker room. A position legitimately acquired thanks to his 53 caps with the South African team and his heroism in the quarter-finals of the previous CAN, during which he stopped four shots on goal.
