2026 World Cup qualifiers: Hugo Broos names killer squad ahead of Super Eagles clash

Nigeria defeated South Africa on penalties in the semi-final of the AFCON 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast.

Coach of the South African Football team, Hugo Broos, has selected his final 23-man squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe, Soccernet.ng reports.

The game is poised to be a bigger fixture for the Bafana Bafana who are out for revenge after falling Nigeria emerged victorious when both sides met at the AFCON 2023 semi-final in Ivory Coast. The Super Falcons of Nigeria also edged Banyana Banyana by a slender goal, to seal a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Nigeria were drawn into Group C alongside Rwanda, Benin Republic, South Africa, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The team that tops the group at the end of the summit will automatically qualify for the first 48-team World Cup in Canada, Mexico and America. The four best runners-up go into a playoff to decide one side to contest a six-team intercontinental tournament.

South Africa are currently on three points after their 2-1 win against Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, even though they lost 2-0 away to Rwanda. Nigeria are yet to lose, but they’re also yet to win. Two draws against Lesotho and Zimbabwe leaves the group wide open for anyone to stamp their foot on the ambition to qualify.

The Bafana Bafana Squad in full;

Goalkeepers:

  • Ronwen Hayden Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
  • Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu)

Defenders:

  • Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United)
  • Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
  • Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)
  • Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders:

  • Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC)
  • Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)

Forwards:

  • Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City)
  • Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
  • Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)
  • Elias Mokwana (Sekhukhune United)
  • Lyle Foster (Burnley, England)
  • Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt)
  • Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Nigeria will play against South Africa next week Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, with kick-off time set for 8 pm.

 

This post was last modified on May 30, 2024 12:52 pm

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Adefolahan is a multilingual journalist and writer at Soccernet Nigeria. With a track record of involvement in College sports, Adefolahan is focused on crafting engaging football content and utilising his language skills and extensive sports knowledge to enhance content accessibility for a global audience. He has interviewed Nigerian stars like Finidi George, Junior Lokosa, and Abraham Onahi Ogbu.

Recent Posts

“Impossible is nothing” – What Alloy Agu said about new Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle

1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner Alloy Agu has shared his thoughts on the appointment… Read More

2 hours ago

CHAN 2024 Group D battle: Oumar Ba, Nduka, and four other key players to watch

It is no longer news that the Super Eagles B team has been slated to… Read More

4 hours ago

Serie A: Nigerian star on the radar of Atalanta set to miss Inter Milan vs Empoli clash

Empoli have announced that Nigerian midfielder Tino Anjorin will miss the upcoming Serie A fixture… Read More

6 hours ago

Europe’s dribble wizards: Lamine Yamal tops, Moses Simon dusts Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jnr.

Super Eagles forward Moses Simon has been ranked as the fourth-best dribbler in Europe's top… Read More

6 hours ago

“The fire is still burning” – Super Eagles striker hints at Eredivisie return

Super Eagles and Rangers striker, Cyriel Kolawole Dessers, has hinted a possible return to the… Read More

7 hours ago

Life after Taiwo Awoniyi: Nottingham Forest eye Congolese striker as West Ham target’s replacement

English Premier League high-flyers Nottingham Forest are eyeing Congolese striker Yoanne Wissa as a possible… Read More

7 hours ago