Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams will make a welcome return to Bafana Bafana, who are looking to curb the glut of goals the team conceded in their opening two 2025 Afcon Group K matches.
Last month in Williams’ absence, Bafana’s defence leaked five goals while Veli Mothwa and Sipho Chaine donned the shot-stopper’s jersey against Uganda (2-2) and South Sudan (3-2).
This made for an uncharacteristic 5-4 aggregate score after two group-stage matches.
As expected, Mothwa has dropped out of the final 23-man squad announced yesterday by coach Hugo Broos to do duty in the two upcoming qualifiers against Congo Brazzaville, starting next Friday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (7pm start).
Four days later, Congo will host South Africa at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat in Brazzaville.
Ricardo Goss and Chaine will be the back-up keepers for Williams.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star will also take over the captaincy from his club teammate Themba Zwane, who led the side against Uganda and South Sudan.
Zwane was named in the list of strikers that includes Iqraam Rayners, Mihlali Mayambela, Elias Mokwana, Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis and Patrick Maswanganyi.
Broos was delighted to have Williams back because of his brilliant goalkeeping and leadership skills.
He said appointing Williams as captain was one of his best decisions since he was at the helm of Bafana Bafana.
“I’m happy that Ronwen is back. He’s the one that talks a lot, and hands out advice to the players,” said Broos. “We saw what happened in his absence, but it will be much better now that he is back.
“He is a fantastic goalkeeper. Appointing him captain was one of the best decisions I made.
“Look now, Ronwen is a nominee for the Ballon d’Or awards. It’s never happened to an African-born player from an African club before.”
The best news, however, for Broos was the decision by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to curtail the domestic programme ahead of the two Afcon qualifiers.
“I am happy that the PSL agreed with my request, so there are no local matches except the MTN8 final this weekend,” said Broos.
“It is only the Pirates and Stellenbosch players that will be busy, but we will be able to go into camp on Saturday already.
“Sunday morning, we can fly out to Gqeberha, and then we can already train on Sunday afternoon.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos names his final squad for the AFCON qualifiers against Congo in Gqeberha on 11 October 2024, and away on 15 October 2024#BafanaPride#Afconqualifers pic.twitter.com/ZBfepGkkhn
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 3, 2024
“I’m grateful to the PSL for agreeing to my request. We see how important it is for the national team to produce good results because that will increase the focus on the domestic league.
“In the past, I have had difficulties with the PSL, but they know it is important for South African football to do well. We saw how the interest peaked after we did well at Afcon.
“Sometimes you have to do something for the national team.”
The big disappointment for Broos was the absence of talisman Percy Tau, who produced some impressive performances for Egyptian giants Al Ahly of late.
Tau was unavailable for “personal reasons”, and Broos said he would not expand on the matter.
The two upcoming matches will give Bafana the opportunity to solidify their qualification claims for the continental showpiece in Morocco next year from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
Bafana Bafana Squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (SuperSport), Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Sundowns), Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC), Thabiso Sesane (Pirates), Grant Kekana (Sundowns)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC), Luke le Roux (IFK Varnamo, Sweden), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates)
Forwards: Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), Patrick Maswanganyi (Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns), Elias Mokwana (Esperance de Tunis, Tunisia), Thapelo Morena (Sundowns), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Relebohile Mofokeng (Pirates)