AFCON 2025: Broos reveals Bafana Bafana injury setbacks before Ghana warm-up

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has admitted his squad is not at full strength as they prepare for Tuesday’s international friendly against Ghana at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, their final warm-up before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

South Africa open their AFCON campaign against Angola on December 22 in Morocco, aiming to capture their first continental crown since 1996. Broos has already named his 25-man squad, but three players, Burnley striker Lyle Foster, Club Brugge’s Shandre Campbell, and Portugal-based Siphephelo Sithole will only join the team in Marrakech.

The Belgian tactician revealed that minor injuries have disrupted preparations, forcing him to take a cautious approach against Ghana.

“It’s not easy to implement what we need when important players like Foster, Sithole and Ngezana are not yet here,” Broos explained. “Tomorrow’s game is more of a training match than a selection game. I don’t want to risk players with minor injuries and lose them for AFCON.”

Broos added that the match will give fringe players a chance to adapt to Bafana’s style of play, while stressing he is not overly concerned.

“We still have time when we arrive in Morocco, so I’m not worried,” he said.

Should injuries force changes, Broos has standby options in Kaizer Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala, Stellenbosch striker Iqraam Rayners, and centre-back Thabo Moloisane.