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Only three players from DStv Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns made the final cut in Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ 23-member squad for South Africa’s opening match of the 2023 Afcon qualifying campaign next month.
Defenders Lyle Lakay, Khuliso Mudau and Grant Kekana were picked, while Aubrey Modiba, Lebogang Maboe and Thapelo Morena were dropped after making the list of the provisional squad of 37.
READ: Lyle Lakay shares formula behind his stunning goal
The Cape Town City duo of Taariq Fielies and Khanyisa Mayo were also rewarded with call-ups after their stellar performances led to the Citizens challenging for a place in the CAF Champions League next season.
Bafana start their campaign against Morocco in Rabat on June 9.
The two nations are left in a three-team group alongside Liberia owing to Zimbabwe’s suspension by Fifa from international tournaments.
The move to exclude the Warriors has significantly increased Bafana’s chances to qualify.
Kenya and Zimbabwe were suspended by Fifa due to political interference in the affairs of both associations. CAF said in a statement on Monday that the two nations had not yet met the criteria required by the Fifa congress as a prerequisite for lifting their suspensions.
The Bafana squad will assemble next week to prepare for the game against Morocco.
The two countries were in the same group at the Afcon finals in Egypt in 2019, when the Atlas Lions prevailed 1-0.
READ: Bafana’s Afcon campaign is rattled by an impressive Ghana
BAFANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu)
Defenders
Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bandile Shandu (Orlando Pirates), Grant Kekana (Sundowns), Thibang Phete (Belenenses, Portugal), Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City), Terrence Mashego (City), Lyle Lakay (Sundowns), Innocent Maela (Pirates)
Midfielders
Sphelele Sithole (Belenenses), Goodman Mosele (Pirates), Phathutshedzo Nange (Chiefs), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United)
Strikers
Thembinkosi Lorch (Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Mayo (City), Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids FC, Egypt), Lyle Foster (KVC Westerlo, Belgium), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, US), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt)
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