Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his first squad for a FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana next month.
The Belgian was appointed in May after former coach Molefi Ntseki was fired for failing to qualify for the 2021 AFCON.
The new squad core is somewhat of a continuation from the success of the team that won the development COSAFA Cup tournament in late June, while there is also the inclusion of a few overseas-based players that either new or returning.
Portugal-based midfielder Sphephelo ‘Yaya’ Sithole has earned his first call-up, as well as the junior international Kobamelo Kodisang from FC Braga.
Major omissions include regulars Itumeleng Khune, Themba Zwane, and Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Full 31-man preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers:
Ronwen Williams (Supersport United FC), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows FC)
Defenders:
Sydney Mobbie (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Rushine De Reuck (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Siyanda Xulu (Haopel Tel Aviv FC, Israel), Thibang Phete (Os Belenenses, Portugal), Thabani Dube (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Njabulo Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Sibusiso Mabiliso (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates FC)
Midfielders:
Kobamelo Kodisang (FC Braga B, Portugal), Sipho Mbule (Supersport United FC), Teboho Mokoena (Supersport United FC), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Sphelele Mkhulise (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Sphephelo Sithole (Os Belenenses FC, Portugal), Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United FC), Siyethemba Sithebe (AmaZulu FC)
Strikers:
Thabiso Kutumela (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United FC), Gift Links (Aarhus GF, Denmark), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Victor Letsoala (Bloemfontein Celtic FC), Percy Tau (Brighton and Hove Albion FC), Luther Singh (FC Copenhagen, Denmark).
The first opponents will be rival neighbours Zimbabwe in Harare on 3 September, before the mighty Black Stars of Ghana visit Mzansi on the 6th.
