No blues for Broos as he announces Bafana squad.

Bafana Bafana boss, Hugo Broos, has announced his preliminary squad for the final AFCON qualifier against Morocco on June 17 at FNB Stadium.

With both sides having already qualified for Ivory Coast 2024, the match will give Broos an opportunity to begin his preparations for the final tournament early.

While the squad includes mostly the usual suspects, with Broos possibly looking to maintain some consistency, one glaring absentee from the squad is Burnley forward, Lyle Foster.

Among the new faces, the squad includes Iqraam Rayners who has been a revelation since returning to Stellenbosch FC, Given Msimango from TS Galaxy, and Kobamelo Kodisang, a player whom a lot of mzansi's football supporters have been calling for.

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Broos will announce his final squad early next month, but before that, a mini camp will be held from May 31 to June 7, and it will give Broos enough time to prepare and make a decision on his final squad.

Bafana Bafana 34-man preliminary Squad:

Goalkeepers:

Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC)
Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
Melusi Buthelezi (TS Galaxy)

Defenders:

Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United)
Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns
Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Given Msimango (TS Galaxy)
Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates
Nkosnathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
Siyanda Xulu (Toran Tovuz)
Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City)
Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Aubrey Modiba(Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders:

Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Bathusi Aubaas (TS Galaxy)
Njabulo Blom (St Louis City)
Grant Margeman (SuperSport United)
Miguel Timm (Orlando Pirates)
Sphelele Mkhuilise (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Luke Le Roux (Varberg BoiS)
Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Thapelo Maseko (SuperSport United)

Forwards:

Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)
Zakhele Lepasa (SuperSport United)
Cassius Mailuila (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Kobamelo Kodisang (Moreirense)
Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City)
Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limissol)
Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minessota)
Percy Tau (Al Ahly SC)
Pule Mmodi (Lamontville Golden Arrows)
Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC)

Now that Bafana have qualified for AFCON, let Broos finish what he started.

Bafana coach, Hugo Broos. Image credit: Lorenz Kohler Social Media. 

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, ditched sophistication in favor of efficiency to ensure that his side beat Liberia 2-1 on Tuesday at the
Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

The crucial victory, achieved through a work-men like performance, booked Bafana a place at the 2024 AFCON to be hosted by Ivory Coast in January.

The weight of the match, and the conditions it was played under, saw Bafana enjoying only 37% of the ball, 10 goal attempts and four shots on target, with two of them converted to goals by Zakhele Lepasa 19' and Mihlali Mayambela 53'.

Despite a not so easy on the eye performance, Bafana managed to keep Liberia at only two shots on target, although they enjoyed the lion's share of possession, 68%, and 13 goal attempts.

Ugly win, yes, but very important. Sometimes in football, beauty is just an aesthetic.

Now that we have qualified, it is time to get down to some serious business for Broos and SAFA, that of ensuring that we have a strong, well prepared Bafana team for Ivory Coast 2024.

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Expecting Bafana to go and challenge for the title would be an illusion, we are maybe 10 years away from really putting up a strong continental challenge, but we can compete.

Friendlies against strong opposition will be key for the team. And maybe it is time for Broos to be more consistent with his selection, which will help with the synergy amongst the players.

At best, the AFCON 2024 participation will do wonders for Bafana's chances to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Honestly, we can't expect miracles from poor ol' Broos, considering the players at his disposal, but we can expect better than the embarrassments of the past.

A World Cup qualification, Broos, our good Sir, please.