By Michael Madyira
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos never changed his mind about dynamic Orlando Pirates forward Tshegofatso Mabasa and has not named him in his final 23-man squad for the upcoming Fifa World Cup qualifier matches.
Mabasa won the PSL Golden Boot after scoring 16 goals in 26 matches during his loan stint at Moroka Swallows and his return to Orlando Pirates.
Broos’s squad is set to travel to Nigeria for the 7 June 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier before hosting Zimbabwe four days later.
After the Belgian changed his mind about including Khanyisa Mayo ahead of March’s international friendly matches, when he had initially snubbed the Cape Town City star in his preliminary selection, it was expected he’d do the same with Mabasa.
The Pirates striker has been frozen out as Broos opted for attackers like Lyle Foster, who is returning to the national side, and Sekhukhune United’s Elias Mokwana.
Pirates wonderkid Relebohile Mofokeng could make his international debut after making the cut.
Familiar faces appear in Broos’ squad. Siyabonga Ngezana is back in the national team, while Buccaneers captain Innocent Maela was dropped.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bathusi Aubaas is also part of the group; and Broos admitted it was tough to finalise his team.
“Team selection is always a huge job and always the worst part of my job,” Broos said on SABC Sport.
“You have to disappoint 13 players. It’s not easy to choose players and decide. But I select professionally what I think the team needs.”
Foster returns to the national team after injuries and a battle with mental health saw him being sidelined.
“His health problems are solved,” said Broos. “I know I was angry because we got the news that Lyle was not ready to play, but suddenly, we saw him playing for his club.
“He also wrote us a letter that he was not ready to go to Afcon. In March, they said we should leave him because he was not 100% fit, but again, he still plays for Burnley. I couldn’t understand it,” he said.
“I called him, and we had a good chat. I called Vincent Kompany, and we had a good chat and there is no problem now.”
The Kaizer Chiefs duo of goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma and centre-back Given Msimango, who had made the 36-member provisional selection, were dropped.
Final Bafana 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Vili Mothwa (AmaZulu)
Defenders: Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala, Khuliso Mudau (all Sundowns), Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal)
Forwards: Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Percy Tau (Al Ahly), Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Elias Mokwana (Sekhukhune United)
Pictured above: Orlando Pirates forward Tshegofatso Mabasa in action against Chippa United.
Image source: Orlando Pirates
