South Africa have made headlines as the first nation to unveil their preliminary squad for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco next month, with coach Hugo Broos announcing a 54-man list on Monday.
Among the notable inclusions is Nigeria-born defender Ime Okon, currently playing for Hannover 96 in Germany.
The squad, which will be trimmed to 23 players for the finals, is dominated by home-based stars. Broos selected 13 players from Orlando Pirates, semi-finalists in the CAF Champions League last season, and 10 from Mamelodi Sundowns, who finished as runners-up in the same competition.
The South African Football Association confirmed that the final squad will be named “in the coming days,” well ahead of the December 11 deadline for all 24 finalists to submit their lists.
One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of 36-year-old Themba Zwane, who has been sidelined since September with a knee injury. Zwane, who also missed much of last season due to similar issues, remains a crucial figure for Bafana Bafana, having played a key role in their run to the semi-finals of the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.
The preliminary squad features 12 foreign-based players, adding international experience to the mix. These include Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest, Romania), and Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge, Belgium).
Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Keegan Allan (AmaZulu), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Samukelo Kabini (Molde, Norway), Malingonwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena, Khuliso Mudau (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Fezile Ngacaba (Durban City), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest, Romania), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers, England)
Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke le Roux (Portsmouth, England), Siphesihle Maduna (TS Galaxy), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mthetheleli Mthinyane (Stellenbosch), Masindi Nemtajela (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge, Belgium), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United), Evidence Makgopa, Patrick Maswanaganyi (both Orlando Pirates), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)