Mzansi will face tricky fixtures in the group stage, given that perennial winners, Egypt, are among their opponents. However, they head into the continental campaign with their morale boosted after qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals despite having their points deducted. After failing at the ultimate stage last time, Broos is aiming higher this time around.
The public broadcaster is facing a potential blackout after failing to settle its broadcast rights debt with the South African Football Association. It is a lapse that could leave millions of South Africans, who rely on the SABC, unable to watch an international involving Bafana Bafana.
The 21-year-old has been struggling for consistency at Orlando Pirates since the start of the season. With South Africa preparing for the biennial continental competition, the 73-year-old former Cameroon tactician has refused to guarantee the versatile attacker a place in his squad with barely a month before he names his final team.
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.
From making his professional debut for the Buccaneers in March 2025 to earning his maiden Bafana Bafana call-up three months later, the 20-year-old from KwaZulu-Natal’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The defender has dished out performances, and with the kind of maturity beyond his years. His rapid rise has become one of South Africa's feel-good football’s most exciting breakthroughs of 2025. But just as he enjoyed being at the top of his game, he has now found himself in hot water with the world football governing body.
The recognition of a South African footballer by the world football governing body, especially one plying his trade in the Premier Soccer League, proves the quality of the domestic league. Such acknowledgement could show how the PSL has earned respect on the global stage and reinforces the local league's case as one of Africa’s most competitive football competitions.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Zambia
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