Coach Hugo Broos surprised many with his squad selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including Sibongiseni Mthethwa from Kaizer Chiefs. The rest of the elite squad comes from Mamelodi Sundowns, with eight players selected. The team faces a daunting challenge, with their first match against Benin on November 18th, 2023, followed by an away game against Rwanda on November 21st. The Bafana Bafana team will need two positive results from their first group C matches to advance to the 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026.
What is Hugo Broos’s squad selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers?
Hugo Broos, the coach of the Bafana Bafana team, has selected Sibongiseni Mthethwa for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers ahead of other players. This selection is surprising as Mthethwa is the only player from Kaizer Chiefs to make it into the elite squad. The other eight players in the team are from Mamelodi Sundowns. The Bafana Bafana team will face their first match against Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on November 18, 2023.
Selection of Sibongiseni Mthethwa: A Bold Decision
In a strategic and surprising move, Hugo Broos, the esteemed coach, has chosen Sibongiseni Mthethwa for his Bafana Bafana team, ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Mthethwa, a recent addition to the Glamour Boys, is the only player from Kaizer Chiefs to make it into the elite squad. This choice, though unexpected, is justified due to a series of injuries affecting the Chiefs’ main players.
The Mamelodi Sundowns, on the other hand, have a strong presence in the team, with eight of their top players being drafted to play for their country. This selection signifies the most significant representation by any single club in the national team.
The Forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers: A Daunting Challenge
The approaching World Cup qualifiers pose a significant test for Broos and his squad. Their initial match, planned for November 18, 2023, pits them against Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This crucial game is followed by an essential away game against Rwanda in Huye on November 21, 2023.
The Bafana Bafana team, presently basking in the glory of an impressive unbeaten record of 11 games—encompassing six wins and five draws—hasn’t suffered a loss since their June 2022 match against Morocco. However, a string of uninspired draws has raised questions about Broos’s capacity to lead South Africa to a World Cup spot.
FIFA Rankings and Noteworthy Squad Inclusions
The significant challenges that lie ahead are evident. The FIFA rankings place Benin and Rwanda in the 93rd and 140th position respectively, while also in Bafana’s World Cup qualifying group are Nigeria (40th), Zimbabwe (125th), and Lesotho (153rd). The team needs two positive results in the first Group C matches.
In a new development for the World Cup format, the top team from each of the nine CAF qualification groups will advance directly to the 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Broos’s announced squad list has sparked some surprise, with both Bradley Cross and Oswin Appollis, who have not yet received a cap, and Jayden Adams, who has previously represented Bafana in the COSAFA Cup, being included. Notwithstanding his struggles to keep pace with recent competitive matches, Siyanda Xulu was retained in the team.
The Complete Bafana Bafana Squad
The entire Bafana Bafana squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie, Bradley Cross, Grant Kekana, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Siyanda Xulu, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mdau
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Jayden Adams, Sphephelo Sithole
Forwards: Themba Zwane, Zakhele Lepasa, Lebo Mothiba, Parcy Tau, Oswin Appollis, Mihlali Mayambela, Thapelo Maseko, Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
The Road Ahead: An Opportunity to Witness Endurance, Skill, and Unity
Hugo Broos’s strategic gamble will undoubtedly draw the attention of football enthusiasts and experts as the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers continues. As the Bafana Bafana squad progresses towards the World Cup, each game will be a testament to their endurance, skill, and unity.
What are the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers?
The FIFA World Cup Qualifiers are a series of matches between national teams to determine which teams will qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The Bafana Bafana team faces a challenging task ahead with their first match against Benin on November 18th, 2023, followed by an away game against Rwanda on November 21st.
What does the Bafana Bafana team need to do to advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The Bafana Bafana team needs to secure two positive results from their first Group C matches to advance to the 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Who is included in Hugo Broos’s squad selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifiers?
Hugo Broos has selected Sibongiseni Mthethwa from Kaizer Chiefs for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, along with eight players from Mamelodi Sundowns. The complete squad list includes goalkeepers Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, and Ricardo Goss, defenders Sydney Mobbie, Bradley Cross, Grant Kekana, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Siyanda Xulu, Mothobi Mvala, and Khuliso Mdau, midfielders Teboho Mokoena, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Jayden Adams, and Sphephelo Sithole, and forwards Themba Zwane, Zakhele Lepasa, Lebo Mothiba, Parcy Tau, Oswin Appollis, Mihlali Mayambela, Thapelo Maseko, and Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
What is the significance of Sibongiseni Mthethwa’s inclusion in the squad?
Sibongiseni Mthethwa’s inclusion in the squad is a bold decision by Hugo Broos, as he is the only player selected from Kaizer Chiefs. This selection is justified due to a series of injuries affecting the Chiefs’ main players.
What challenges does the Bafana Bafana team face in the World Cup Qualifiers?
The upcoming World Cup qualifiers pose a significant test for Broos and his squad, with their initial match against Benin on November 18, 2023, followed by an essential away game against Rwanda on November 21, 2023. The team needs to secure two positive results in the first Group C matches to advance to the 48-team FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Who are some noteworthy squad inclusions in Hugo Broos’s selection?
Hugo Broos’s announced squad list has sparked some surprise, with both Bradley Cross and Oswin Appollis, who have not yet received a cap, and Jayden Adams, who has previously represented Bafana in the COSAFA Cup, being included. Siyanda Xulu was also retained in the team.
