Hugo Broos, the head coach of the South African national team, has revealed the preliminary squad for the AFCON 2023 final phase set to occur from January 13 to February 11, 2024, in Côte d’Ivoire.
South Africa, among the 24 qualified nations, disclosed its initial squad featuring 55 Bafana Bafana players, including notable figures like Percy Tau from Al Ahly.
Notable inclusions feature Percy Tau from Al Ahly, a key player, while the absence of striker Fakhri Lakai from Pyramids raises eyebrows.
South Africa competes in Group E with strong teams including Tunisia, Mali, and Namibia.
In the month of November, South Africa actively engaged in the latest fixtures within the context of the 2026 World Cup African qualifiers, marking a significant chapter in their football journey. The standout match occurred on November 18, 2023, at Moses Mabhida Stadium, where the South African squad showcased an exhilarating performance resulting in a thrilling 2-1 victory against Benin.
Percy Muzi Tau, the forward showcasing his skills with the Egyptian Premier League club Al Ahly, played a pivotal role by securing an early goal, setting the tone for the team’s triumph.
Adding to the spectacle, Khuliso Johnson Mudau, a right-back playing for the South African Premier Division club Mamelodi Sundowns, further bolstered the team’s lead with a second goal late in the first half. The collaboration of these talented individuals not only secured a momentous win for South Africa but also underscored the diverse expertise within their squad, enhancing the overall narrative of their performance in the ongoing World Cup qualifiers.
However, their luck changed three days later when they lost 2-0 to Rwanda in an away game. These games marked the ups and downs of South Africa’s journey in the football qualifiers.
Check the preliminary squad:
