Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart has been rewarded for his stellar performances for his club by being included in the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for upcoming international friendlies.
Maart scored the winning goal in the recent Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates, and will be hoping to impress head coach Hugo Broos as Bafana resume their World Cup qualifying campaign in September.
With Mamelodi Sundowns players not available due to next month’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, the team named by Broos is dominated by Orlando Pirates, with 11 players from the club included in the 30-man preliminary squad.
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There is also a first-time call-up for Pirates’ teen sensation Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has turned heads with his performances since being promoted to the first team by Jose Riveiro during the season.
Club Brugge’s Shandre Campbell, who sat on the bench during the Belgian club’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Marcus Rashford’s Aston Villa two months ago, has also been included.
With skipper Ronwen Williams not selected due to Sundowns’s Club World Cup commitments, Pirates’ Sipho Chaine is expected to be in between the sticks. Chippa United’s Darren Johnson, Chiefs’ Bruce Bvuma, Ricardo Goss of SuperSport United, as well as Renaldo Learner from Sekhukhune United will provide competition for the number one jersey.
Bafana’s opponent for the June international window are yet to be named.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announces his preliminary squad for the International Friendly matches to be played at home in June 2025.#BafanaPride @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/xklKCKNZAM
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 22, 2025
Full Bafana preliminary squad:
Goalkeepers: Darren Johnson, Bruce Bvuma, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine, Renaldo Leaner.
Defenders: Khulumani Ndamane, Nyiko Mobbie, Thabo Moloisane, Keagan Allan, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Deano Van Rooyen. Siyabonga Ngezana, Vuyo Letlapa, Ime Okon, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Fezile Gcaba.
Midfielders: Puso Dithejane, Yusuf Maart, Simphiwe Selepe, Gape Moralo, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Thalente Mbatha, Ndamulelo Maphangule. Kamogelo Sebelebele, Mduduzi Shabalala, Luke Le Roux, Siphesihle Mkhize, Relebohile Mofokeng, Shandre Campbell, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Mohau Nkota, Patrick Maswanganyi.
Forwards: Yanela Mbuthuma, Evidence Makgopa, Devin Titus, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Mihlali Mayambela.
Sport
