Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named a 48-man preliminary squad for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in September.
Among the notable inclusions is Ime Okon of Hannover 96 in Germany, a South African player of Nigerian descent who earns his first call-up.
South Africa currently tops Group C with 13 points after six matches and will look to extend their lead when they face neighbours Lesotho and long-time rivals Nigeria at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Bafana Bafana will also enjoy a unique advantage, as Lesotho has opted to play its home games in South Africa, effectively giving Broos’ men home-ground familiarity even for the away fixture.
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A victory for the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations champions would significantly boost their chances of finishing top of Group C and securing an automatic ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria, meanwhile, will host Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo before traveling to Bloemfontein to face South Africa in the reverse fixture.
The Super Eagles are in a precarious position, with their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread after a poor start to the qualifiers. They have managed just one win in six matches, alongside four draws and one defeat.
In contrast, South Africa has been in fine form, winning four of their six games and drawing once.
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