Five notable absentees from Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named a 45-man preliminary squad for the final two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month, with Zimbabwe and Rwanda the opponents.

South Africa will first take on Zimbabwe at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on October 10 before hosting Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on October 14.

While the extended list offers Broos plenty of depth, several notable names have once again been overlooked despite good form and proven pedigree.

Independent Media takes a closer look at five players who missed the cut: 

Thembinkosi Lorch

The 32-year-old winger has rediscovered his spark since moving to Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic. Lorch recently stood out on the global stage at the FIFA Club World Cup and has carried that momentum into the new season. 

Just last week, he netted his first goal of the campaign to salvage a point for Wydad. His resurgence raises questions about why his experience and creativity remain untapped at at international level.

Bradley Grobler

At 37, Grobler continues to defy age. The Sekhukhune United striker is currently the most in-form player in the Betway Premiership, boasting seven goals and one assist in his opening 10 games. 

Those eight goal-contributions place him ahead of all rivals in the division. Yet, despite his form, the veteran forward remains outside Broos’ plans. His omission will spark debate, given Bafana’s recurring issues in front of goal.

Thabo Cele

Since returning to Kaizer Chiefs in January, Cele has become the heartbeat of the midfield. The Durban-born playmaker has impressed with his composure, range of passing, and tactical intelligence. 

Despite his European experience and ability to dictate games, Cele continues to miss out on national team selection.

His absence from the preliminary squad is perhaps the most puzzling, given his consistent influence for Amakhosi.

Elias Mokwana

Once part of Bafana’s AFCON squad in January, Mokwana’s fortunes have dipped dramatically. The 27-year-old winger has missed the last two national camps due to issues at club level, and now his place in the 2025 AFCON squad is in jeopardy. 

From being seen as a rising attacking option to finding himself out of contention, Mokwana’s trajectory highlights how quickly circumstances can change in football.

Percy Tau

For years, Tau was the undisputed talisman of Bafana. But his move to Vietnamese side Thep Xanh Nam Dinh has seemingly pushed him to the margins of international football. 

While still capable of brilliance, Tau’s absence from the preliminary squad shows how his career shift has affected his national team standing. 

His experience could have been valuable in high-pressure qualifiers, but Broos is clearly looking elsewhere.

With two decisive qualifiers looming, Broos has opted for fresh faces and a continuation of his youth-driven approach. 

Yet the omissions of players like Lorch, Grobler, Cele, Mokwana and Tau will inevitably spark debate about whether Bafana are overlooking proven talent at a crucial stage.