Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifiers at home to Lesotho and Benin this month could very well be a strong deciding factor in their bid to qualify for the finals.
And so, with these games all but ‘cup finals’, it will be crucial for coach Hugo Broos’ men to ensure that they bring their scoring boots.
The Belgian shouldn’t lose sleep in that regard either. From the 37-member preliminary squad he announced on Tuesday, he’s got potent attackers at his disposal.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos names the preliminary squad to face Lesotho and Benin in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to be played this month.#BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/FgbV3QozD9
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 4, 2025
Sure, many will be excited with the infusion of the England and Qatar-based duo Lyle Foster and Percy Tau, who missed the last trip for various reasons.
But as good as it may be to witness, it’s perhaps worth noting that it’s been the local and continental-based players who have shone recently.
Both Foster and Tau have struggled for their respective clubs, Burnley and Qatar SC, whereas the African-based contingent have been firing on all cylinders.
Starting up north, Elias Mokwana has been on form for Esperance, helping his team climb to the top of the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 and reach the CAF Champions League last eight.
Mokwana scored in his last game in both competitions, proving how invaluable he’s been for the Tunisian giants since joining the club from Sekhukhune United in winter.
Coming back to the domestic front, the SA strikers have been on song, starting with Iqraam Rayners of Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates’ Tshegofatso Mabasa, to Ashley Cupido, who plays for Stellenbosch FC.
Rayners is the second top goal-scorer in the Premiership with nine strikes, three behind leading marksman and teammate Lucas Ribeiro Costa.
Mabasa and Cupido are both on five goals apiece in the league, helping their teams to second and third place spot respectively on the standings – behind Rayners’ Sundowns.
Added to that is the fact that the trio are familiar with African football, as their teams are in the Champions League (Sundowns and Pirates) and Confederation Cup (Stellenbosch) quarter-final respectively.
So, given all that, Broos will be banking on his locals to continue to score in the clash at home to Lesotho in Polokwane on March 21 and away to Benin in the Ivory Coast four days later.
The Belgian’s bet on strikers would be justified for these two clashes, and not only because they need the goals, but because of the potential shortcomings in other departments.
Bafana could possibly have another goalkeeping conundrum this month as they could face uncertainties over injuries and form.
Star No 1 and captain Ronwen Williams hasn’t played for Sundowns in over a month, having sustained an injury after the 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy in the league.
And while Broos would still prefer him over the rest of the three goalkeepers – Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine and Sage Stephens – in goals if he’s fully fit, he’d still be lacking match-fitness.
But again, Broos would probably still risk it, even if that’s the case. When Williams missed out on a camp due to an injury last year, his absence was dearly felt.
Broos gave Chaine and Veli Mothwa a chance between the sticks, and the duo conceded two goals apiece in the Afcon qualifier, including the latter making a horrific blunder.
And so, since then, it’s really been hard to tip anyone to fill in the huge gloves of Williams, who’s not only the No 1 goalkeeper in the land, but the continent at large.
The goalkeeping problems haven’t only been affecting Bafana, but in domestic football. While there have been goals, with the afore-mentioned trio on song, goalkeepers have been leaking goals.
Uncharacteristically, Williams has also been a victim of soft goals and blunders, but he remains head and shoulders above the rest.
That’s why his absence could be dearly felt if he doesn’t make the final.
Such an eventuality is something that would need Broos to ensure that his strikers continue to be clinical up front, covering up for any flaws that might come from defence.
Bafana Bafana Preliminary Squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sage Stephens, Sipho Chaine
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie, Khulumani Ndamane, Thabo Moloisane, Rushwin Dortley, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Deano van Rooyen, Siyabonga Ngezana, Khuliso Mudau, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Grant Kekana
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Bathusi Aubaas, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Ndamulelo Maphangule, Luke le Roux, Siphesihle Mkhize, Thalente Mbatha, Thapelo Morena, Elias Mokwana, Devin Titus, Oswin Appollis
Forwards: Evidence Makgopa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng, Ashley Cupido, Lyle Foster, Percy Tau, Mihlali Mayambela