South Africans urged to go easy on Broos after AFCON preliminary squad announcement

Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo believes coach Hugo Broos is working on ensuring the national team delivers in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be played in December in Morocco.

In his preliminary squad, the veteran coach excluded players like Thembinkosi Lorch and Bradley Grobler who have been in form for their respective teams.

Some fans and other coaches feel the duo could be helpful for the national team in the biennial competition. However, the former Kaizer Chiefs attacker is not buying the narrative.

Khumalo insists the Belgian is sure with the pool of players selected, since he has worked with the majority of them.

Broos will work with players who have adjusted to his philosophy

“From where I’m seated in my experience, I think the coach has a big animal ahead of him,” Khumalo told the  10Bet Podcast.

if you have a big animal, you can’t come up with the players that still has to adjust to the philosophy of the coach.

“Ninety percent if not 95% that you call, are players that understand you. They understand the social factor of the progression in terms of influencing performance.

“So, let’s try to understand what is a coach and his technical team are trying to achieve on this because after the Zambia game, it’s end of the month and then the PSL is continuing. There won’t be probably a date where he will get another international game before he could go to Morocco.

“So, I think the way he’s gone about selecting his squad, he’s keeping the core, but the experience that I have and understanding what the coach is trying to do and his technical team, they really want to keep that social factor within,” Khumalo concluded.

Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announces his Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad.

South Africa 🇿🇦 @10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @SABC_Sport @SAFA_net pic.twitter.com/WhqAbk4Lr7

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) November 24, 2025

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Ricardo Goss – Siwele FC, Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates FC, Renaldo Leaner – Sekhukhune FC, Darren Johnson – AmaZulu FC, Brandon Petersen – Kaizer Chiefs FC 

Defenders: Ime Okon – Hannover 96 (Germany), Samukelo Kabini – Molde FK (Norway), Khuliso Mudau – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Fezile Ngcaba – Durban City FC, Thabang Matuludi – Polokwane City FC, Thabo Moloi­sane – Stellenbosch FC, Khululmani Ndamane – TS Galaxy FC, Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Orlando Pirates FC, Aubrey Modiba – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Keegan Allan – Amazulu FC, Vuyo Letlapa – Sekhukhune FC, Nkosinathi Sibisi – Orlando Pirates FC, Malibongwe Khoza – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Siyabonga Ngezana – FCSB (Romania), Thapelo Morena – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Thabiso Monyane – Orlando Pirates FC, Tylon Smith – Queens Park Rangers (England), Fawaaz Basadien – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Bradley Cross – Kaizer Chiefs FC

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Luke Le Roux – Portsmouth FC (England), Bathusi Aubaas – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Thalente Mbatha – Orlando Pirates FC, Siphesihle Mkhize – Sekhukhune FC, Siphesihle Maduna – TS Galaxy FC, Ndamo­melo Maphangule – Polokwane City FC, Sphephelo Sithole – CD Tondela (Portugal), Masindi Nematjajela – Orlando Pirates FC, Mthetheleli Mthiyane – Stellenbosch FC, Themba Zwane – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Lyle Foster – Burnley FC (England), Puso Dithejane – TS Galaxy FC, Bongokuhle Hlongwane – Minnesota SC (USA), Tshepang Moremi – Orlando Pirates FC, Mihlali Mayambela – Aris Limassol (Cyprus), Ashley Cupido – Stellenbosch FC

Forwards: Evidence Makgopa – Orlando Pirates FC, Sipho Mbule – Orlando Pirates FC, Keletso Makgalwa – Sekhukhune FC, Shandre Campbell – Club Brugge (Belgium), Relebohile Mofokeng – Orlando Pirates FC, Elias Mokwama – Al Hazem (Saudi Arabia), Oswin Appollis – Orlando Pirates FC, Kamogelo Sebelebele – Orlando Pirates FC, Patrick Maswanganyi – Orlando Pirates FC, Iqraam Rayners – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Mduduzi Shabalala – Kaizer Chiefs FC, Mohau Nkota – Al Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia)