Bafana Bafana final AFCON 2025 squad: 10 Biggest winners and losers

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos finally unveiled his final 25-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations set to take place between December 21 and January 18 in Morocco.

Broos made some interesting selections with a number of young players handed opportunities in the final squad while there were some big names that were omitted over various reasons.

With three more players on standby, the 25-man team has experience and youth which Broos is hoping to bank on as South Africa look to equal or do better than their third place of 2023.

So, who are the biggest winners and losers from Broos‘ squad?

Winner: Orlando Pirates

Unlike in 2023, when Mamelodi Sundowns players dominated the squad, it is Orlando Pirates who have produced the bulk of the players with nine from Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team.

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaince, defenders Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, midfielders Thalenthe Mbatha and Sipho Mbule as well as forwards Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa and Relebohile Mofokeng have made the final squad.

Loser: Kaizer Chiefs

While Pirates are celebrating, their Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs are licking their wounds once more after missing out again with none of their players in the final 25-man team.

Only midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala has been put on standby as Chiefs continue missing out despite having him, goalkeeper Brandon Petersen and full-backs Brandley Cross as well as Thabiso Monyane in the provisional team.

While Chiefs have missed out, Pirates have nine, Sundowns five, while Siwelele FC, Polokwane City, TS Galaxy have one each in the 25-man team among PSL sides.

Winner: Tylon Smith

What a year he has had! The former Stellenbosch FC youth product is set for his AFCON debut after guiding Amajita to the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations title and to the knockout round of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup.

Now playing for Queens Park Rangers in England, Broos feels the 20-year-old has come of age and is ready for a role in the senior team.

Loser: Themba Zwane

While Broos begins to integrate new players, he has started spelling the end for the old guard and Thambe Zwane is among the first casualties.

Zwane would definitely have made the squad but injuries in the last one year have conspired to lock him out with his latest setback in September keeping him out until his return on Friday, which was too little to late, and ‘Mshishi’ will now have to watch AFCON from home, having been a key player at the 2023 tournament.

Winner: Shandre Campbell

Another young player set for his AFCON debut is Belgian-based forward Shandre Campbell.

The Club Brugge star has seen his stock rise since joining the club in the summer of 2024 with six top flight appearances this season as well as a taste of UEFA Champions League football which was enough to convince Broos that he is ready for AFCON.

Loser: Patrick Maswanganyi

The Orlando Pirates midfielder has paid the price for his indifferent season which has seen him in and out of the team due to injuries and poor form.

With stiff competition for places at club level, ‘Tito’ has still managed 14 games this season, weighing in with four goals and three assists but that was not enough for Broos, who is convinced that Sipho Mbule can do a better job in the No.10 role in Morocco.

Winner: Relebohile Mofokeng

The Pirates winger looked in danger of missing out on a ticket to AFCON despite being one of Broos’ favourites as injuries and a slow start to the season threatened his place.

Mofokeng returned to action last month after weeks out with an injury and he has no goals and just three assists but his performances have been impressive. Broos had no hesitation when naming his final squad.

Loser: Puso Dithajane

The TS Galaxy forward looked like he could force his way into the squad given his numbers have been impressive with four goals and six assists in 15 games but he was still dropped, having initially made the provisional squad.

It was a hard one for the 24-year-old, given some of those selected do not have the numbers that match his.

Winner: Ricardo Goss

The Siwelele FC goalkeeper was preferred as third-choice after keeping six clean sheets in 15 games even though his club has been struggling in the PSL.

The 31-year-old has improved since leaving Mamelodi Sundowns for SuperSport United in 2020 and his experience and style must have won over Broos.

Loser: Brandon Petersen

The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper has nine clean sheets this season and has pulled off some great saves but that has still not been enough to convince Broos despite earlier assurances.

Patersen has improved this term but a place in the AFCON squad still proved futile as Broos settled for Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine and Goss.