Hugo Broos explains how not having a passport led to the dropping of a TS Galaxy defender from Bafana Bafana squad ahead of 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos named his final squad for the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Lesothi and Benin.

South Africa host their neighbour Crocodiles on Match 21 before facing the West Africans four days later.

In coming up with his final squad from the preliminary selection, Broos dropped TS Galaxy defender Khulumani Ndamane due to the player not having a passport.

"Ndamane from Galaxy was with the team, but he doesn't have a passport," said Broos as per KickOff.

"I heard the chairman [of Galaxy, Tim Sukazi] saying at the beginning of the week, of last week, that I have to take more players from Galaxy. 

"I want to take them, but they don't have passports. So, I'm very sorry about that, and it's not the first time."

Broos is trying to help Bafana qualify for the World Cup, a tournament they last took part in 2010 as hosts.

South Africa are currently second in Group C with seven points after four games, the same as group leaders Rwanda who enjoy a superior goal difference.

Bafana players are expected to start reporting for camp on Sunday to start preparing for the upcoming international games, although Pirates and Sundowns players have a game that day so will likely join up the following day.

That will hopefully be enough time to prepare to face Lesotho on Friday, March 21. Bafana then will have only three days of traveling and preparation before they face The Cheetahs.