Bafana Bafana will head into the AFCON 2025 tournament in high hopes following the recent qualification to next year's 2026 FIFA World Cup and also the third placed finish at AFCON 2023.

Belgian mentor Hugo Broos has retained most of the players used during the World Cup qualifiers whilst also including a number of uncapped players who have performed well over the past year including Belgian based sensation Shandre Campbell.

Mzansi is pitted in group B alongside Angola, Egypt and Zimbabwe and are unbeaten in 25 matches under Broos in all competitions.

The tournament is set to run from 21 December 2025 until 18 January 2026.

Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs)

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Morena, Fawaaz Basadien, Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Thabiso Monyane, Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Keegan Allan (AmaZulu), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Samuel Kabini (Molde FK), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha, Masindi Nemtajela (Orlando Pirates), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), Siphesihle Maduna (TS Galaxy), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Mthetheleli Mthiyane (Stellenbosch), Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela)

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Patrick Maswanganyi, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune United) Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minessota SC)

Man Utd closing in on Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt