Major technical changes are expected to take place within the South Africa setup next year, ushering the dawn of a new era for the national side. SAFA might need to begin the process of appointing a new coach to ensure continuity, stability and long-term planning. That is seen as crucial to maintaining the momentum the team has built in recent years under the outgoing Belgian coach.
The South Africa senior national team coach has named his squad for the upcoming international friendly against Zambia, maintaining much of the core that featured in recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The game against Chipolopolo will take place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on November 14. Once again, Thembinkosi Lorch has been left out, extending his long spell away from the national team setup. The continued exclusion of the former Orlando Pirates star and Broos comments on the situation likely mean his international future under the Belgian tactician is in serious doubt.
The 20-year-old has been nothing short of a breath of fresh air in Mzansi football, taking everyone by surprise with his rapid rise in such a short span of his professional career. Mbokazi has continued to display remarkable composure and fearlessness — not only for the Soweto giants but also in his appearances for the South African men’s national team, where his commanding presence and confident communication have earned him the admiration of his teammates.
The senior men's national team has been on the rise for the past few years as the Belgian tactician continues to tick the right boxes. The 73-year-old has a wide pool of players to make his squad for international competitions, with just a few guaranteed their place ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for December.
The 22-year-old winger is fast emerging as one of the brightest young talents in South African football, the way the likes of Mohau Nkota, Mbelezeli Mbokazi and Relebohile Mofokeng rose. His Abafana Bes'thende coach believes it’s only a matter of time before he earns a Bafana Bafana call-up and sees him as a player who can go to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The player has just won two PSL awards as he currently enjoys some terrific form.
After playing for the Bafana Bafana B team at the 2024 African Nations Championship, the former Bloemfontein Celtic star was expected to remain in the Premier Soccer League. But he surprisingly opted for a challenge in East Africa, joining one of the continent’s most ambitious clubs. His arrival is expected to bolster Simba’s creative options as they chase domestic and continental success.
The Premier Soccer League usually reward coaches and players who performed well in a respective month in their bid to motivate them and push them to give the best. The best performers for the month of October were feted on Wednesday, where a top attacker tipped to make the national team was recognised for his displays in the league.
In the last couple of years, Mzansi football has been growing to great heights, starting from the Premier Soccer League all the way to the national team for both men and women. The government, through the Ministry of Sports, has awarded the players for what they have achieved in the recent past across all competitions.
Although Bafana saw their points reduced for fielding the Masandawana star, they fought hard in the remaining qualifiers to seal their place in the 2026 finals. The South African Sports Minister has acknowledged there was a blunder but has defended the team manager, saying he has taken responsibility. McKenzie has also revealed the amount of bonuses Bafana players will get for the AFCON and World Cup finals.
Latest reports suggest the South African Football Association has opted for a bold move: finalising the Teboho Mokoena yellow card blunder via internal ballot. The decision could have major implications for Tseka, whose oversight during the Lesotho qualifier remains under scrutiny.
The former Sea Robber star linked up with the former Bucs' defender even though he had attracted interest from an ex-Kaizer Chiefs head coach. In his new club, the coach is ready to help him get back to his top-level form after battling injuries for a long period.
The Bafana Bafana legend has been Harambee Stars coach since March 2025 and his biggest task is building a squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals to be co-hosted by three East African countries. This is his first-ever job as a national team coach and he would want to make a huge impact.
South African teammates were rivals on Friday evening as they came up against each other in Saudi Arabia. Both players earned some game time and had an impact in the contest. That is the kind of form national team coach Hugo Broos is looking for in his players plying their trade both at home and abroad.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker is a regular starter for the Moroccan giants, where he is one of their key players. After his impressive performances at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the 32-year-old continues with his good form for the Casablanca side.
The 61-year-old is a vastly experienced coach, with his time on the touchline dating back to 1998. He has previously applied for the national team job, but nothing materialised. The former SupetrSport United coach opens up on whether or not he is still interested in coaching the 1996 African champions.
The 36-year-old national team vice-captain has not played international football in a year due to fitness issues. That makes it uncertain if he will make it to the Afcon, especially as he has now become injury-prone. His Masandawana coach talks about the progress the experienced midfielder is making in his recovery bid.
Given the profile he has created as a dependable Sea Robber, Relebohile Mofokeng's absence has been conspicuously noted, with some raising questions. He is yet to step on the pitch since he was injured during a Premier Soccer League match against Siwelele FC on October 4.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns trainer is enjoying a purple patch in Algeria, helping his team stay on course to win their league title. Their latest victory comes just after making progress in the CAF Champions League, where they have reached the group stage.
The two Moroccan heavyweights played against each other on Wednesday night at the Mohammed V Stadium in the top tier. Either side could have gone top of the table with maximum points, but chances went begging with both teams failing to get the ball in the back of the net.
The ongoing exclusion of 'Nyoso' from the South African national team has divided opinion. Many are arguing that the talented winger deserves a place in the squad after his performances for Wydad Casablanca at the FIFA Club World Cup, Caf Confederation Cup and the Botola Pro have earned the praise of fans, coaches and teammates.
The senior national team will be competing with the best in Africa and in the world at large over the next year. In late December, South Africa will be chasing the continental crown in Morocco before facing the best in the prestigious global competition to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The 32-year-old has been excellent in North Arica, where he is turning out for Red Castle, who made his move from Mamelodi Sundowns permanent. He has, however, been overlooked by the South Africa technical team ahead of the forthcoming international break, where they will play friendly games in preparation for the 2025 AFCON finals.
The Belgian tactician has started preparations for the biennial continental competition to be played in Morocco from December 21 to January 18. The 73-year-old named his preliminary squad for the forthcoming international break in November, where he is expected to try some tactics and have a look at some new call-ups in his bid to expand the team's depth.
South Africa have begun preparations for December's Africa Cup of Nations finals to be hosted by Morocco. They will face their COSAFA rivals during the November FIFA break as the Belgian coach tries to come up with a list of players he will take to Africa's flagship football competition.
The winger has been on top of his game for his club and that has not gone unnoticed, earning himself a big gong. He has been lifting his hand up to be recognised by the Buccaneers coach Abdeslam Ouaddou if the Moroccan stays with the Soweto giants beyond next season.
Bafana Bafana and Burnley striker Lyle Foster was something of a late bloomer, but the 25-year-old Soweto-born striker is reaching his peak at just the right time with his club five points above the relegation zone and the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 less than two months away.
South Africa
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