AFCON 2025: Chiefs stars get the nod, Zwane returns as Broos names Bafana squad

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has included four Kaizer Chiefs players in his 55-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

In a squad full of Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns stars, Chiefs did not completely miss out as they have representation with a host of players making their return while others have been handed their maiden senior national team call-ups.

Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, defenders Thabiso Monyane and Bradley Cross as well as attacking midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala have made the 55-man squad and will be hoping to make the cut when the final team is announced.

Who else has made the AFCON prelim squad?

The squad has 12 Orlando Pirates players with Kamogelo Sebelebele and Patrick Maswanganyi among those recalled, and eight from Sundowns, with the inclusion of Themba Zwane standing out amid doubts over his AFCON 2025 participation due to his injury woes, as well as Fawaaz Basadien, who is struggling for gametime this season.

Meanwhile, Broos has also handed maiden call-ups to Amajita stars Tylon Smith, who plays for Queens Park Rangers in England and Shandre Campbell of Belgian giants Club Brugge, while US-based Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Mihlali Mayambela, based in Cyprus, Portsmouth’s Luke Le Reux and Germany-based Ime Okon among those returning.

The squad will be trimmed before the team leaves for Morocco where South Africa are in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe in the tournament that will take place from December 21 to January 18.