The battle lines for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 Group B derby have officially been drawn, with Zimbabwe’s rivals, Bafana Bafana, unveiling a massive preliminary squad list.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos on Monday announced a staggering 54-man preliminary squad for the tournament set to kick off in Morocco next month (December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026). The final 23-man squad will be trimmed and submitted to CAF by December 11, giving Warriors coach a tight window to analyse the full spectrum of options available to the neighbours.
Zimbabwe’s clash against Bafana Bafana on December 29 is widely viewed as a crucial fixture for both nations, who are grouped alongside continental giants Egypt and a tricky Angolan side.
Broos Puts Faith in ‘Mshishi’ Despite Injury
The most significant talking point from the extensive list is the inclusion of veteran midfield maestro Themba Zwane. The 36-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns star has been sidelined with injury since mid-September. Broos, however, has opted to include him, indicating the Belgian coach is prepared to wait on Zwane’s fitness, highlighting just how vital the playmaker is to Bafana Bafana’s tactical set-up.
For the Warriors technical team, Zwane’s presence, should he recover, is a major threat, given his experience and game-changing ability that was instrumental in South Africa’s bronze medal finish at the last AFCON.
The preliminary list also confirms that Broos is building on the core of players who secured qualification for the AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, midfielder Teboho Mokoena, and English Premier League striker Lyle Foster are all present and expected to anchor the final 23. The squad is heavily dominated by players from giants Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, ensuring continuity and familiarity among the players.
Lorch Omission Confirms End of an Era
In what may be seen as a minor boost for the Warriors defence, Belgian coach Broos confirmed the continued exclusion of in-form attacker Thembinkosi Lorch. Despite the ex-Orlando Pirates star’s impressive performances for Wydad Casablanca in Morocco, Broos has stood firm on his position, stating that Lorch does not fit into his long-term vision for the national team.
The omission of Lorch, even from such a large preliminary squad, strongly suggests the end of his international career under the current regime. This removes a potentially dangerous wildcard from the Group B equation, as Lorch’s ability to unlock defenses on a big stage has never been in question.
With the final team announcement due in early December, the coming weeks will be crucial as Broos cuts his 54 players down to the final traveling contingent. The Warriors technical staff will be closely monitoring Bafana Bafana’s training camp in Pretoria, studying every move as they prepare for the highly anticipated COSAFA derby to close out the Group B fixtures on December 29.