Key Changes in Bafana Bafana Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

On 7 October 2024, South Africa’s national football team coach, Hugo Broos, announced significant changes to the Bafana Bafana squad ahead of their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Congo Brazzaville. The matches are scheduled to take place in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on Friday, 11 October 2024, and the return leg on Tuesday, 15 October 2024, in Congo.

Broos confirmed the withdrawal of Thalente Mbatha and Jayden Adams from the squad. According to Broos, Mbatha has been sidelined due to a knee injury sustained during the MTN8 final held in Durban on the preceding Saturday. The coach highlighted that medical scans revealed the severity of Mbatha’s condition, necessitating his replacement by Bathusi Aubaas.

Regarding Jayden Adams, Broos cited disciplinary issues as the reason for his removal from the squad, though he refrained from providing extensive details. Adams, a consistent figure in the national team since the 2023 AFCON where he helped secure a bronze medal, has been replaced by Sinoxolo Kwayiba of Chippa United.

“Jayden Adams is replaced by Sinoxolo Kwayiba due to his behavior,” Broos remarked, emphasizing his strict policy on maintaining professional conduct within the team. “A professional attitude is essential, and if I sense a player lacks that, I have no choice but to exclude them,” Broos explained, reiterating his commitment to discipline.

Broos expressed his dissatisfaction with recent performances against Uganda and South Sudan, despite securing a 3-2 victory in the latter match. He expressed a desire to see an improved and “real South Africa” against Congo, stressing the importance of both performance and results going forward.