S/Africa lines up AFCON stars for Super Eagles clash in Uyo

We can beat Eagles in Nigeria, says Williams
South Africa’s Coach, Hugo Broos, has selected the players that led the Bafana Bafana to the third position at the last Africa Cup of Nations, as the Rainbow nation prepares for their crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria next month.

Nigeria will host South Africa in their third round of the African qualifying series of the 2026 World Cup in Uyo on June 7.

While South Africa is second on the Group C log in the qualifying series, Nigeria is third with Rwanda leading the group.

In the 36-man list released yesterday, Broos chose Percy Tau, Skipper Ronwen Williams and goalkeepers Bruce Bvuma and Ricardo Goss.

Also in the team are defenders Nyiko Mobbie, Thabiso Monyane, Thapelo Morena, Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Given Msimango, MothobiMvala, TapeloXoki, Khuliso Mudau, Terrence Mashego, Thabo Moloisane, Siyabonga Ngezana and Grant Kekana.

In the list also are Teboho Mokoena, Grant Margeman, Jayden Adams and BathusiAubaas, as well as Themba Zwane, Devin Titus, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster, Evidence Makgopa,Relebohile Mofokeng, and MihlaliMayambela.

All the players are based in the South African league except Lyle Foster, who plays for Burnley in England, Tau of Al Ahli (Egypt) and Mayambela of Aris Limassol of Cyprus.

The South African Football Association said the “final 23-member squad will be announced in the next few days.”
Mabasa’s Bucs teammate Evidence Makgopa, who played a crucial role for Bafana as they won bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire in January and February, earns a recall from Broos having recently returned from injury for his club.

The Bafana Bafana will meet Nigeria in Uyo on June 7, then host Zimbabwe in Bloemfontein on June 11.

Broos’ team are expected to arrive in Uyo five days before the game to acclimatise and put the finishing touches to their preparation for the game.

The match in Uyo will be supervised by Chadian official, Alhadi Allaou Mahamat, 38,(centre referee), who will be assisted by Sudanese official, Mohammed Ibrahim Abdallah (assistant referee 1), Abelmiro Dos Reis Monte Negro from Sao Tome & Principe (assistant referee 2) and compatriot Pousri Armi Alfred (fourth official).

Ahmed Sayed Abou Elela from Egypt will serve as the referee assessor, while Ghanaian MunkailaNassam Adam will be the commissioner for the Day 3 clash.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana Captain, Ronwen Williams, is confident that his team will beat the Super Eagles in Uyo to enhance their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
At the last Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria could only beat South Africa in the semifinals through a penalty shoot-out to qualify for the AFCON final.

The South Africans defeated Nigeria the last time they visited Uyo with Percy Tau and TokeloRantiescoring the goals in a 2-0 win.

And going into their first meeting in Nigerian soil since 2017, Williams believes that thunder could strike twice.

He said: “The last time we went to Nigeria we beat them. I was part of that squad so I will share my experience with the players. And it was a valuable experience in the AFCON, playing Nigeria.

“I think that was one of our better games at the AFCON, so it is possible to go there and get a result. Why not? We have shown we can compete with the best, we just need to show that consistency.”