Themba Zwane has been included in South Africa’s preliminary squad for the Africa Cup of Nations finals next month, even though the 36-year-old has been out through injury since September.
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Coach Hugo Broos is obviously prepared to wait and see whether Zwane will make it for the tournament in Morocco in a major departure from his previous stance on players who were injured or without regular match practice.
Zwane, who spent most of last season out with a knee injury, was hurt in mid-September again, suffering another knee injury.
Broos named a 54-player preliminary squad on Monday that will have to be cut to 23 for the finals.
The final list must be submitted by 11 December, which is ten days before the tournament’s opening game, but the South African Football Association said the final squad would be named “in the coming days”.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announces his Africa Cup of Nations preliminary squad.
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) November 24, 2025
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There are 12 foreign-based players in the squad, with 13 from Orlando Pirates and 10 from champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
PRELIMINARY SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Keegan Allan (AmaZulu), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Samukelo Kabini (Molde, Norway), Malingonwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena, Khuliso Mudau (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Fezile Ngacaba (Durban City), Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest, Romania), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers, England)
Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke le Roux (Portsmouth, England), Siphesihle Maduna (TS Galaxy), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mthetheleli Mthinyane (Stellenbosch), Masindi Nemtajela (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge, Belgium), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United, USA), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United), Evidence Makgopa, Patrick Maswanaganyi (both Orlando Pirates), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns).