Broos Names Preliminary Bafana Squad For Panama Friendlies
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced a preliminary squad that will later be trimmed for two international friendly matches against Panama later this month in South Africa.
Bafana Bafana will face the North Americans at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 27 March before meeting them again four days later at DHL Stadium.
The matches will serve as the final home preparations for Bafana Bafana ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico in June.
In the preliminary squad, Broos has recalled Jayden Adams, who has been in impressive form for Mamelodi Sundowns since the resumption of the domestic season in January following the Africa Cup of Nations.
Also included in the squad are Kamogelo Sebelebele, Thapelo Morena, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Themba Zwane, Patrick Maswanganyi, Iqraam Rayners, Thapelo Maseko, and Ime Okon.
This camp will be one of the final preparations under Broos, who has previously indicated that he plans to step down and retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
If selected in the final squad, the players will have an opportunity to impress during the two friendly matches as they compete for places in the team that will travel to the World Cup.
However, Sportswire was informed that Broos could extend his stay with Bafana Bafana, which has led the South African Football Association to delay discussions about appointing a successor after the tournament.
The upcoming camp will also mark the first time Bafana Bafana assemble since their elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations in January, when they lost to Cameroon national football team in the round of 16.
The last time South Africa faced Panama was in 2005 at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Bafana, who were invited as guest participants and finished second in their group behind Mexico under coach Stuart Baxter, lost the encounter 5-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1.
South Africa’s goal was scored by towering striker Lungisani Ndlela in the 68th minute, cancelling out an earlier strike by Panama’s Jorge Dely Valdés in the 48th minute.
