Four Bucs Stars Make Bafana Shortlist

7 March, 2023

Up to four Orlando Pirates players could feature in the South Africa squad to face Liberia later this month, with members of the Club’s first team forming part of Hugo Broos’ preliminary squad named on Tuesday.

Bafana Bafana are scheduled to play back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against the Lone Stars during this year’s first official FIFA break kicking off on 20 March until the 28th, after the two nations were drawn together in Group K alongside Morocco.

Ahead of the crucial fixtures, 35 players have been shortlisted for spots in the final 23-man squad that will be named the week before the Liberians are set to land in South Africa for the first of the two games.

Bucs skipper Innocent Maela is one of those rewarded for his good form as he returns to the squad, having last featured in friendly matches against Sierra Leone and Botswana in September last year.

He is joined in the squad by defensive partner Nkosinathi Sibisi, who also last donned national colours six months ago, while midfield pair Miguel Timm and Monnapule Saleng have been retained from the group that took on Mozambique and Angola last November.

The first AFCON qualifier between South Africa and Liberia takes place at Orlando Stadium on Friday 24 March, and is followed by another must-win clash at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia four days later.