Zuko Komisa
- Hugo Broos has cut 22 players from his preliminary Bafana Bafana squad ahead of the two critical 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
- The South African team dropped to second place in Group C after FIFA deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, against Lesotho.
- Broos’s final squad must now secure two wins against Zimbabwe and Rwanda to surpass Benin and keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has dramatically trimmed his preliminary squad, cutting 22 names as he finalises the team for the last two, decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The Belgian manager has announced his final 22-man selection for the fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, where securing maximum points is now paramount.
The stakes have been significantly raised after FIFA recently deducted three points from Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2-0 win over Lesotho.
Mokoena was serving a suspension at the time. This sanction not only marred Broos’s impressive 22-match unbeaten run but also saw his side slip to second place in Group C, behind Benin.
Consequently, Broos and his squad now face a high-pressure scenario. They must secure two vital wins and, crucially, outscore ‘The Squirrels’ of Benin in the remaining matches to stand the best chance of topping the group and advancing to the World Cup.
The 22 players released from the squad include goalkeepers Renaldo Leaner and Darren Johnson, defenders such as Zuko Mdunyelwa and Thabiso Monyane, and notable attacking talents like Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Evidence Makgopa.
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