Broos Faces Tough Calls as Bafana World Cup Plans Take Shape
Broos Faces Tough Calls as Bafana World Cup Plans Take Shape
We are now just 42 days away from the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa, and the pressure is building as every nation has exactly one month to finalise their squads before FIFA’s 30 May deadline. At the beginning of this week, South Africa's head coach Hugo Broos spoke out regarding the exclusion of Thembinkosi Lorch. The 32-year old has not featured for the national side since 2022, and despite shining for Libyan side Wydad Casablanca on the global stage at last summer's FIFA Club World Cup, he has not received adequate attention back home. Hugo Broos' persistent exclusion of the winger has raised further questions regarding who else should be in the squad for the tournament this summer.
"I’m honest he plays good. [But] if you take Lorch, tell me who doesn’t have to go to the World Cup?"
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) April 29, 2026
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has made an honest admission about including Al Ittihad attacker Thembinkosi Lorch in the national team following his impressive form.… pic.twitter.com/ForrwmVgv4
Former South African international Katlego Mphela has urged Hugo Broos to include more attacking options in the side, stating that Lyle Foster and Evidence Makgopa is not sufficient firepower should Bafana want to challenge this summer. Foster has had a rough season with Burnley, only scoring 3 times in 25 Premier League appearances as the Clarets were relegated, however, his form for South Africa has been solid as the striker was the top scorer for South Africa in the AFCON. Furthermore, since his debut for South Africa, no player has scored more goals for the side than Lyle Foster. Makgopa has been an ever-present in Broos' Bafana squads, often proving to be a reliable option off the bench. However, this season the striker has only scored 6 times in 26 appearances for Orlando Pirates. Thus, Mphela's calls are justified, with the legend suggesting that instead of replacing the pair, Bafana need an additional two options up front.
WATCH | Former Bafana Bafana striker Katlego Mphela says both Lyle Foster and Evidence Makgopa should go to the World Cup but coach Hugo Broos must add two more strikers to the squad, and suggests it should be Tshegofatso Mabasa and Khanyisa Mayo. pic.twitter.com/NlgioXKG1e
— Sowetan (@Sowetan1981) April 29, 2026
While Mphela calls for the potential inclusion of Tshegofatso Mabaso and Khanyisa Mayo, this has resparked the Iqraam Rayners debate, as fans and pundits continue to ponder his exclusion from the squad. Rayners has scored 17 goals in 35 appearances for Mamelodi Sundowns this season, the side are currently entangled in a title race with Orlando Pirates as well as set to face FAR Rabat in the CAF Champions League final. Rayners last appeared for Bafana during their World Cup qualifiers, and the centre-forward was not included in the AFCON squad which was to many fan's disapproval.
➡️Broos: Why Rayners Was Out Of Bafana AFCON Squad🤧
— Soccer Laduma (@Soccer_Laduma) April 29, 2026
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has addressed the issue of Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners being omitted from the final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
MORE: https://t.co/TSoqyh4NKS pic.twitter.com/b6NxFdqtUx
Broos' Dilemma: Potential For a Wildcard?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup requires a maximum of 26 players in the squad, with three goalkeepers required to travel. This leaves Hugo Broos with 23 outfield choices, and with his defence and midfield somewhat nailed down, the attacking options remain up for grabs.
Lyle Foster, Relebohile Mofokeng, and Oswin Appollis are all more than certainly going to be heading to the tournament this summer. Outside of those three, Themba Zwane makes a compelling case for the final 26 owing to his experience and dedication to South African football, yet the other spots remain up for contention.
Broos has experimented in attack with recent squad selections, with the likes of Minnesota United's Bongokuhle Hlongwane receiving a call-up, as well as Orlando Pirates' winger Tshepang Moremi. Thapelo Maseko was also included in the squad for March's friendlies against Panama, the 22-year old winger is currently on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns at Cypriot club AEL Limassol. However, with just over a month to go, perhaps further experimentation may hinder the squad's cohesion and chemistry, but then again, some names simply cannot be ignored or dismissed.
🚨 NEWS: Bafana Bafana are working on adding two more friendly matches ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with coach Hugo Broos confirming talks are underway, via MSW. 🇿🇦
— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) April 29, 2026
South Africa are targeting Nicaragua on 29 May and Puerto Rico between 1–9 June after arriving in Pachuca,… pic.twitter.com/H7ZogHksfP
South Africa are looking to stage two more friendlies, and these will be the final dress rehearsals before the grand stage this summer. Hugo Broos not only faces a squad dilemma, but also faces a race against time to fully equip Bafana for their return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010. Broos has been a fantastic servant to South African football, since taking over the role as head coach in 2021, he has revitalised the nation's football and made them a competitive side in Africa once again, and fans will hope that he can make the right calls ahead of the tournament.
Harry Pascoe 
Jake Brown 
