JOHANNESBURG – South Africa national football team head coach Hugo Broos has named his final Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations, but one notable omission has once again sparked debate: striker Iqraam Rayners.
Rayners’ absence has raised eyebrows across South African football circles, especially given recent history. The forward was also left out of the 2025 AFCON squad, a tournament where Bafana Bafana struggled with chance conversion, a weakness many fans believed Rayners could have helped address.
Same Call, Same Questions
Broos’ latest selection suggests consistency in his approach, but also a willingness to stick to decisions that remain unpopular with sections of the fanbase.
At AFCON, Bafana created opportunities but lacked a clinical edge in front of goal. The failure to convert chances proved costly, and supporters were vocal about the need for a natural finisher.
Now, with Rayners again overlooked, the question is unavoidable: is Broos backing his system, or risking a repeat mistake?
Broos Backs Chemistry Over Pressure
From a technical standpoint, the squad reflects continuity. Broos appears to prioritise team chemistry, tactical discipline, and familiarity, leaning heavily on combinations from Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Orlando Pirates FC.
The attack will once again rely on players like Lyle Foster, Evidence Makgopa, and rising star Relebohile Mofokeng, all of whom offer movement and versatility, but have faced scrutiny over finishing consistency.
Veteran Themba Zwane adds creativity, but the burden of goals will still fall on a forward line that remains under the microscope.
A Gamble Ahead of Big Tests
World Cup preparation camps are about fine margins, sharpening combinations, fixing weaknesses, and building confidence.
By sticking with largely the same attacking options, Broos is effectively making a statement: he trusts his system to deliver, even without a proven alternative like Rayners.
But football is unforgiving. If the same issues resurface, especially in front of goal, the pressure will quickly return.
Is this tactical loyalty… or a risk that could come back to haunt Bafana Bafana?
FULL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
- RONWEN WILLIAMS – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
- RICARDO GOSS – SIWELELE FC
- RENALDO LEANER – SEKHUKHUNE FC
DEFENDERS
- KHULISO MUDAU – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
- THABANG MATULUDI – POLOKWANE CITY FC
- NKOSINATHI SIBISI – ORLANDO PIRATES FC
- AUBREY MODIBA – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
- KHULUMANI NDAMANE – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
- IME OKON – HANNOVER 96 (GERMANY)
- SAMUKELE KABINI – MOLDE FK (NORWAY)
- MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI – CHICAGO FIRE FC (USA)
MIDFIELDERS
- TEBOHO MOKOENA – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
- JAYDEN ADAMS – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
- THALENTE MBATHA – ORLANDO PIRATES FC
- SPHEPHELO SITHOLE – CD TONDELA (PORTUGAL)
FORWARDS
- OSWIN APPOLLIS – ORLANDO PIRATES FC
- TSHEPANG MOREMI – ORLANDO PIRATES FC
- EVIDENCE MAKGOPA – ORLANDO PIRATES FC
- LYLE FOSTER – BURNLEY FC (ENGLAND)
- BONGOKUHLE HLONGWANE – MINNESOTA UNITED (USA)
- RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG – ORLANDO PIRATES FC
- THEMBA ZWANE – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
- THAPELO MASEKO – AEL LIMASSOL (CYPRUS)
Perhaps, another shocking surprise is Mohau Nkota.
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