Hugo Broos places Kaizer Chiefs player on AFCON 2023 standby

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos named his final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to take place in the Ivory Coast on Thursday, 28 December.

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As was expected, there were shocks aplenty.

Broos had earlier in the month named a 50-player preliminary squad which he has now trimmed to a final 23.

He also placed three players on standby.

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The tournament will take place from 13 January to 11 February 2024 in the Ivorian cities of Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro. 

The breakdown of the 23-man squad is goalkeepers (3), defenders (8), midfielders (6) and forwards (6).

Those players on standby are Sibongiseni Mthethwa (midfielder), Elias Mokwana (forward) and Tapelo Xoki (defender).

Mthethwa, who is currently injured, is the only Kaizer Chiefs player to have made the wider 26-player squad.

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The following are the 24 players who failed to make the final cut:

Goalkeepers: Melusi Buthelezi, Bruce Bvuma

Defenders: Thabiso Monyane, Bradley Cross, Siyabonga Ngezana, Themba Mantshiyane, Ime Okon, Fawaaz Basadien, Given Msimango

Midfielders: Grant Margeman, Njabulo Blom, Miguel Timm, Bathusi Aubaas, Goodman Mosele, Ethan Brooks, Patrick Maswanganyi, Mlungisi Mbunjana

Forwards: Khanyiso Mayo, Lyle Foster, Lebo Mothiba, Monnapule Saleng, Tshepang Moremi, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Iqraam Rayners

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WHO WAS THE BIGGEST CASUALTY?

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As a reminder, Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group E alongside Tunisia, Mali and Namibia.

According to the latest FIFA rankings, Tunisia are ranked third in Africa (28th in the world), Mali are ninth (51st in the world) and Namibia find themselves in 27th place on the continent (115th in the world).

South Africa are 12th in Africa and 66th in the world.

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Bafana Bafana will kick off their tournament against Mali on Tuesday, 16 January at 20:00 (SA time).

Hugo Broos’ team will next face Namibia on Sunday, 21 January at 20:00 (SA time) and will wrap up their group matches against Tunisia on Wednesday, 24 January at 17:00 (SA time).

The top two sides in each of the six groups along with the four best third-placed finishers will qualify for the Round of 16.

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