Kaizer Chiefs’ new signing, Rushwin Dortley, has been included in the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next month.

Despite joining Chiefs from Cape Town Spurs during the off-season, Dortley is yet to make an official appearance for Amakhosi due to the club’s absence from the MTN8. Chiefs failed to qualify for the top eight last season, preventing them from participating in the tournament.

Dortley previously represented Bafana Bafana B under assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, scoring a goal at the COSAFA Cup in June and July.

Other notable inclusions in the preliminary squad are Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Chaine, the uncapped Simon van Duivenbooden from Vitesse FC in the Netherlands, and Burnley striker Lyle Foster, who missed the recent AFCON finals due to mental health issues. Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has also been called up.

As expected, Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane, Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams, and vice-captain Percy Tau are part of the 38-player squad. Coach Hugo Broos will trim the list to 23 players before the qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana will host Uganda at Orlando Stadium on 6 September before facing South Sudan in Juba four days later.