As Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos prepares to name his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Soccer Laduma looks at five players that could force their way into the team for the matches against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
After Bafana finished third at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast earlier this year, a lot will be expected of the team and Broos will be looking to have players who are capable of inspiring the side to victory.
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There are players who have not been part of the squad this year and are strongly knocking on the door for selection. Soccer Laduma looks at five players who could form part of the side that Broos is set to announce this month. These are players who were not part of the Africa Cup of Nations nor the last squad.
Tshegofatso Mabasa
Bafana will be in need of a striker in good form going into the World Cup qualifiers and Mabasa is currently having the time of his life at Orlando Pirates, finding the back of the net at regular intervals. Currently the top scorer in the DStv Premiership with 15 goals, Mabasa could get an opportunity to be part of the squad ahead of teammate Zakhele Lepasa, who has usually been selected by Broos even during periods when he is not in his best form.
Tashreeq Matthews
Since joining Mamelodi Sundowns in the January transfer window, Matthews has forced his way into the starting line-up and is knocking on the national team door. In his 14 appearances, Matthews has scored four goals and has contributed with one assist. Despite playing abroad previously, the 23-year-old was never able to break into the senior national team, but has a good chance of featuring now that Broos gets to see him week in and out in the colours of Sundowns. His experience gives him a good chance of being in the squad for the upcoming qualifiers.
Thembinkosi Lorch
No stranger to being in the national team, Lorch is slowly finding his feet at Sundowns and his experience of playing for Bafana Bafana could give him an opportunity to return.
Devin Titus
After his Stellenbosch FC teammates Jayden Adams and Iqraam Rayners have been called up to Bafana Bafana this year, Titus will have his fingers crossed that he too can get into the team. He certainly has what it takes to get there, looking at the form he is currently in. The winger has bagged seven goals in the DStv Premiership. He scored three goals in the Nedbank Cup before Stellies were knocked out by Sundowns in the semi-finals.
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Sinoxolo Kwayiba
Broos has shown that he is not afraid to pick players for the national team, no matter what club they play for. Chippa United's Sinoxolo Kwayiba has been in fine form for the club and was rewarded with the DStv Premiership player of the month award for April, after he netted in four consecutive matches.
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