Broos discloses what he considered before selecting final AFCON 2025 squad

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has justified his team selection for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following the unveiling of the final squad on Monday.

Broos released his final 25-man team for the tournament set to take place between December 21 and January 18 in Morocco with a number of players getting selected to the event for the first time while there were some key exclusions, chief among them Themba Zwane.

The Belgian tactician explained the reasons behind his 25-man squad, revealing that he needed players who will not only bring quality but also add a different dynamic.

“The quality is the most important thing,” Broos said on SABC TV on Monday just before unveiling his final squad.

Broos selected a mix of youth and experience

“What you have to make sure is that, is he the best guy in that position? But on the other hand, if there is something happening, what are the options I have to change something, tactics or the way of playing.”

A number of young players are set for their maiden AFCON such as Mohau Nkota, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khulumani Ndamane, as well as Shandre Campbell and Tylon Smith, joining experienced heads like Ronwen Williams, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Siyabonga Ngezana, Teboho Mokoena and Evidence Makgopa among others.

Broos says it is important to have players who can adapt to different situations during a game, pointing out at some of their limitations in their opening match at AFCON 2023, that lead to a 2-0 loss to Mali before they rectified and went all the way to finish third.

What key things did Bafana coach consider?

“In a tournament many things can happen,” added Broos. “When I take the first game we played two years ago against Mali, we saw in that game that we did not have enough power and we had to play a little bit different to get good results.”

“We had the opportunity to change so that is something also that I took in mind when I selected those 25 players,” said the 73-year-old, who plans to begin camp on Monday, December 8.

South Africa are in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe and will open their AFCON campaign against the Palancas Negras on December 22.