The Belgian has opened a wide, ambitious window with his preliminary AFCON squad - an orchestra of veterans, disruptors and bold prospects that must be cut to 27. The selections signal a team designed for multiple tempos: patience when games tighten, speed when they fracture and enough nerve to suffer. This is not a list; it’s the architecture of how Bafana want to win.

Coach Hugo Broos is turning this team into an African powerhouse, mostly using a group of close-knit players plying their trade in the Premier Soccer League. However, the Belgian boss will need to start integrating a handful of superstars based abroad if he wants to squeeze the maximum amount of juice out of this talented, improving squad.

The national team head coach has opened up about the youngster who will not be part of his squad again ahead of the November friendly. The former Cameroon tactician has directed his anger at Campbell's club, which he says promised to give the SA star more playing minutes but has not done so. The situation with the club could cost the forward a chance to feature in the AFCON finals.

Raymond Mdaka will be hoping the absence of his two key players will not be felt and his team will manage without them just as they did when they lifted the 2025 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations. However, the two's exclusion shows how they have improved to be considered as having grown to be above the youth football tournament.

Mzansi are among the teams that have qualified for the prestigious tournament hoping to bring glory to the country after continental triumph.

The Bafana-eligible star completed the move on the transfer deadline day as his new club pegs their hope on his ability to improve their attacking department.