Hugo Broos include Chiefs trio and Pirates youngsters in Bafana Bafana squad for June friendlies

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his preliminary squad for the international friendly games that will be played in June.

Reports have it that South Africa will play Taifa Stars of Tanzania and Namibia Warriors at home, though the South African Football Federation, Safa, has not confirmed. 

Among the players who have been called to the squad is Orlando Pirates teenager Mbekezeli Mbokazi who has been a hit for the Soweto giants since his introduction to the senior team. Simphiwe Selepe is another youngster who has made the preliminary squad, alongside Mohau Nkota.

Newly crowned Nedbank Cup champions Kaizer Chiefs have been considered as well. 

Captain Yusuf Maart, who scored the winner against Pirates in the aforementioned competition, goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma, and youngster Mduduzi Shabalala – who recently won the U20 Africa Cup of Nations with Amajiita, has been considered as well.

Who has made the Bafana Bafana squad?

It is interesting to see who will make the final squad, as Broos prepares his team for the forthcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup.

Bafana Bafana will be away on September 1 against Lesotho in Group C’s assignment, hoping to complete a double over the neighbours. A week later, they will host rivals Nigeria in Mzansi.

South Africa have managed to collect 13 points from the six matches played, although there was controversy regarding their game against Lesotho, after Teboho Mokoena, who is suspended, was included.

The friendly games will also give Bbroos a vivid picture of who to include in the squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Morocco from December.