If there is one coach who will not go with the wind, it has to be Hugo Broos. Despite much pressure from the media and the public, urging Broos to give Thembinkosi Lorch a chance, the Belgian mentor still says no.
Broos named his 2025 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad, where there is no place for Wydad Casablanca star player Lorch.
‘Nyoso’ has been one of the standout performers in Morocco, but that is not enough to convince Broos, who has gone with his tried and tested soldiers.
The 55-man list contains regular players like Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Khuliso Mudau, USA-bound Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Burnley striker Lyle Foster – who are shoo-ins, unless something drastic happens.
Veteran playmaker Themba Zwane makes his return to the national team fold, while outsiders comprise of Brandon Petersen, Puso Dithejane, and Shandre Campbell, Tylon Smith, just to name a few.
Bafana find themselves grouped with their Southern African neighbours Zimbabwe, alongside Angola and record holders Egypt in what promises to be a fiercely contested Group B.
Broos’s side will begin their campaign against the Angolans in less than a month from now, carrying with them the confidence of a memorable previous tournament in Ivory Coast.
South Africa finished third at the last Afcon after a fantastic run that included knocking out favourites Morocco in the last sixteen.
This was before Mzansi went on to deliver one of the most remarkable penalty shootouts in the competition’s history, highlighted by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams saving four spot kicks.
With that inspiring journey still fresh in their minds, South Africa now set their sights on surpassing their third-place finish and writing an even brighter chapter this time around.
With this exciting list of players, Broos is expected to trim the team to a final 23-man squad that will travel to Morocco.
Given Broos’ usual selection criteria, a bulk of the players who will make the cut for the Afcon are likely to be the core of the team that will play in the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
