Three Kaizer Chiefs players likely to be cut from Bafana’s final WC squad

A total of four Kaizer Chiefs have made the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This comes after Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos on Thursday announced a 32-man preliminary squad for the tournament which kicks off next month

The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Monday and the camp will start without the Mamelodi Sundowns players and the overseas-based contingent who will still be out of the country.

Masandawana will only return to South Africa on Tuesday as they face Morocco side AS FAR in the second leg of their CAF Champions League final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday.

Will Kaizer Chiefs players make the final Bafana Bafana squad?

The final squad for the FIFA World Cup will be announced at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on Wedneday, 27 May and Broos will be joined by South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa.

From the 32 players, Broos will trim the squad to 26 players meaning six players will lose out.

With four Kaizer Chiefs making the preliminary squad, only Brandon Petersen has a good chance of making the final cut.

Lebohang Maboe might well get cut with Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole, Jayden Adams and Teboho Mokoena preferred.

The Amakhosi star was not in Broos’ plans and given his age, he is unlikely to board the flight.

Another player who is almost certain to miss out is Thabiso Monyane. Given the fact that Bafana Bafana has Kamohelo Sebelebele and Thabang Matuludi as Khuliso Mudau’s back-up, the Kaizer Chiefs right-back is likely to get the chop.

Bradley Cross will have to fight it out with Samkelo Kabini, who did not impress at the last AFCON.

PRELIMINARY BAFANA BAFANA WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers (4)
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs)

Defenders (11)
Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)

Midfielders (6)
Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City), Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela)

Forwards (11)
Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)