Broos Confirms Mofokeng's Absence from AFCON Squad

Bafana Bafana Coach Hugo Broos Addresses Mofokeng's Inclusion Status

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed that star attacker Relebohile Mofokeng will not be part of his Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad at this time. He acknowledged the challenge of finalizing the team as they approach the tournament in December.

The national team is set to play their final friendly match before the AFCON against the Chipolopolo on 15 November at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, with Mofokeng absent due to injury.

Broos indicated he is about 75% to 80% sure of his final squad but noted that some crucial decisions remain to be made in the coming month. “I think for now, 75% or 80% of the squad I know, it’s already in my head, and then the rest we will see what happens in the next month,” said Broos.

He plans to announce the final squad ahead of the tournament, specifically before 8 December, expressing that the decision-making process will not be straightforward due to the impressive performances of several players.

“I will announce the final 23-man squad during the first week of December, but I believe it will not be easy,” he added.

Broos emphasized the difficulty of selecting the team, highlighting the absence of key players like Mofokeng and Siyabonga Ngezana. He stated, “Some decisions, when you see the squad now and you see who is not there… Mofokeng is not there now, Ngezana is not there, and a few others are not there.”

The coach drew comparisons to the previous AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, recalling it was less complicated back then. “It was easier two years ago when we were going to AFCON in Ivory Coast; I didn’t have those problems,” he noted.

Bafana Bafana, placed in Group B alongside Angola, Zimbabwe, and Egypt, aims to improve upon their bronze medal finish from the last edition. With their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying spot secured, the AFCON serves as a critical platform for the team to showcase their abilities on the continental stage.