Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is happy to have his key players back ahead of Group K's top-of-the-table clash against Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Both teams have qualified for the biennial competition with two games to spare, but the Friday clash at Namboole Stadium might determine who will top the pool. Cranes have 10 points from four matches, while South Africa have eight.
Among the players who will be in action for the Southern African nation are Mothobi Mvala, Siyabonga Ngezana, and Thalente Mbatha.
The trio missed back-to-back games against Congo owing to injuries, but they are now fully fit to help the national team get maximum points against their rivals. The last time Mvala featured for Bafana was in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in June.
I am happy to have them – Broos
Broos is delighted the three key players are back and is optimistic they will play a key role against Uganda at the Mandela Stadium in Namboole.
“Our last game in Congo wasn't our best game. We have some players back that we didn't have in Congo,” the 72-year-old said ahead of the match.
“I think about Ngezana, I think about Mvala, I think about Mbatha, these players weren't in Congo. We can do more now with them in the group. My confidence is big in this team.
“I was happy to see Mothobi playing again at Sundowns. He was injured for a long time. If you see the things he did in the past for Bafana, I think you'd understand why I am happy that he's back. He's not the finest, the biggest most talented player of South Africa but he was so important for us in past games.
“It was a loss not having him in Congo because he's a player to help us in such games,” Broos concluded.
In the last six meetings across all competitions, Bafana Bafana have beaten Cranes three times and managed as many draws.
