Orlando Pirates top star called up to Bafana Bafana squad – report

Hugo Broos has made a late change to his squad with the national coach calling up a top Orlando Pirates star at the last-minute.

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Broos has called up Bucs sensation Miguel Timm to the national side to replace Njabulo Blom, according to iDiskiTimes.

The ref-hot Bucs midfielder was a surprise exclusion from South Africa’s final 23-man squad named to take on Libya in crucial back-to-back AFCON qualifiers.

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PIRATES STAR CALLED UP TO BAFANA SQUAD

Timm was one of the biggest names dropped from his Broos’ initial 35-man squad.

However, he has been re-called to replace Blom who will be unavailable

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Turns out, Blom is unavailable for selection prompting Broos to call up Timm.

“We get a medical report and Njabulo is not able to play and to travel,” Broos stated on the same publication.

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Meaning Timm will be available for selection in both fixtures.

The first tie takes place at the Orlando Stadium on 24 March 2023, where Timm plays for Orlando Pirates. So, this is convenient for both Timm, Broos and the national side. Thereafter, the second qualifier takes place four days later, on 28 March 2024.

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AFCON QUALIFICATION AWAITS SOUTH AFRICA

Should SA manage to win and draw or win both ties they will qualify for AFCON alongside Morocco.

This, after Zimbabwe was disqualified from their qualifiers.

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Therefore, SA only need to better Liberia over two fixtures to finish in the top two – which is enough to qualify. They are heavily favoured to achieve this feat given the vast gap between the two nations in the FIFA World Rankings.

Liberia sit 150th in the World while Bafana Bafana are ranked a massive 83 places above them, in 67th place.

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UPDATED NATIONAL SQUAD FOR AFCON QUALIFIERS

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala (all Sundowns), Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi (both Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (Turan Tovus, Azerbaijan)

Midfielders: Luke Le Roux (Varbergs BoIS, Sweden), Miguel Timm (Pirates), Sphephelo SIthole (Belenenses, Portugal), Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns)

Forwards: Monnapule Saleng (Pirates), Themba Zwane, Cassius Mailula (both Sundowns), Zakhele Lepasa (SuperSport), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota, USA), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt)