South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has announced a 38-member preliminary squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.
The South African national team will kick off their AFCON campaign with a home match against Uganda at Orlando Stadium on September 6 before travelling to face South Sudan four days later.
The squad features a blend of seasoned and fresh talent, with several new faces earning a call-up. Out of the 38 players named in the preliminary squad, 30 players are home-based.
Notably, goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who saved four penalties against Cape Verde to help his nation reach the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, is among the provisional squad.
Williams recently missed his club Mamelodi Sundowns’ MTN8 quarterfinal victory due to injury but has earned the call-up.
The squad also includes 22-year-old Simon van Duivenbooden, a Dutch-born South African striker who plays for Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands.
30-year-old forward Percy Tau, who currently plays his trade at Al Ahly of Egypt, is also included in the provisional squad.
Coach Hugo Broos will announce the final 23-man squad in the next few days.
When facing Uganda, Bafana Bafana will be aiming to build on their impressive eight-match unbeaten run, a streak that includes a 1-1 draw against Nigeria and a 3-1 win over Zimbabwe in their recent World Cup qualifier fixtures.
Uganda, on the other hand, has registered 2 wins in its five games so far this year, including a 2-0 friendly win over Kuwait in January, and a 1-0 win over Botswana in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June at Namboole.
South Africa and Uganda are pitted in Group K, which also features South Sudan and Congo.
The top two teams from the group will secure qualification for the AFCON 2025, set to be hosted in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
Preliminary Squad for AFCON 2025 Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
1. Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
2. Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs)
3. Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu)
4. Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders:
1. Sydney Mobbie (SuperSport United)
2. Thabiso Monyane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
3. Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
4. Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs)
5. Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
6. Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)
7. Given Msimango (Kaizer Chiefs)
8. Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
9. Athenkosi Mcaba (Stellenbosch)
10. Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
11. Terrence Mashego (Mamelodi Sundowns)
12. Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch)
13. Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB)
Midfielders:
1. Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
2. Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
3. Grant Margeman (SuperSport United)
4. Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch)
5. Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns)
6. Sphephelo Sithole (Mamelodi Sundowns)
7. Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)
8. Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
9. Devin Titus (Stellenbosch)
10. Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City)
11. Mhlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol)
12. Luke Le Roux (IFK Värnamo)
Forwards:
1. Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
2. Simon van Duivenbooden (Vitesse)
3. Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns)
4. Thapelo Maseko (Mamelodi Sundowns)
5. Elias Mokwana (Espérance de Tunis)
6. Lyle Foster (Burnley)
7. Evidence Magkopa (Orlando Pirates)
8. Percy Tau (Al Ahly)
