Sage Stephens among non-regulars named in Bafana prelim squad for Afcon qualifiers

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced a 38-player preliminary squad for next month's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan, the national team's last two matches of 2024.

Sage Stephens, Thabang Matuludi, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Sipho Mbule, Mihlali Mayambela and Tshegofatso Mabasa are some of the non-regulars included in the preliminary squad announced on Tuesday. 

Goalkeeper Stephens has been knocking on the door loudly with his solid performances for in-form Stellies this season and been surprisingly overlooked in the squads for the last two months' Afcon qualifiers.

Al Ahly forward Percy Tau, who has missed several call-ups or been left out by Broos this year and asked to be excluded from this month's matches against Congo, has been named in the preliminary combination.

Bafana need a win from one of their last two group K games to confirm their place among the 16 teams that will participate in the 35th Afcon in Morocco in December 2025 and January 2026.

South Africa have not lost in eight games in all competitions since they were surprise third-place finishers in the this year's Afcon in Ivory Coast, but it is the confirmation of qualification for the next edition that will matter most to Broos.

Bafana are second in group K with eight points, two behind Uganda, after winning two and drawing two of their four qualifiers. A win by Bafana against Uganda at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala on November 15 will confirm their qualification.

If Bafana lose or draw against Uganda, they'll have a better chance of beating South Sudan at home on November 19. South Sudan have lost all four of their group stage qualifiers. Third-placed Congo, who Bafana thrashed 5-0 in Gqeberha and drew 1-1 against in Brazzaville this month, have four points. 

Bafana Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Sage Stephens (Stellenbosch FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (SuperSport United), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabiso Sesane (Orlando Pirates), Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC), Siyabonga Ngezana, Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Luke le Roux (IFK Värnamo, Sweden), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City)

Strikers: Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Elias Mokwana (Espérance de Tunis, Tunisia), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch FC), Yanela Mbuthuma (Richards Bay FC), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, US)