Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced a 45-player preliminary squad for the final two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda next month.

Bafana Bafana will face Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October in their final Group C qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following last month’s matches against Lesotho and Nigeria.

Coach Hugo Broos has named Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau and in-form Orlando Pirates forward Oswin Appollis in the preliminary squad.

One notable omission is Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who is unavailable due to an ongoing FIFA investigation. Mokoena featured against Lesotho despite having accumulated two yellow cards, which should have ruled him out. If FIFA rules against South Africa, Bafana could be docked three points.

With Group C finely balanced, the fixtures against Zimbabwe and Rwanda will be pivotal in determining Bafana Bafana’s qualification hopes.

Bafana will face Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, 10 October (15:00 kick-off). Four days later, Bafana will host Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 14 October (18:00 kick-off).

Broos is expected to trim the provisional list to a final 23-player squad in the coming days.

Bafana Bafana currently lead Group C in the qualifiers with 17 points from eight matches. Benin sit second with 14 points, while Nigeria and Rwanda follow on 11 points each. Lesotho are on six points, and Zimbabwe are bottom of the group with four.

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