Tau back in Bafana fold

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, has named Percy Tau in his 37-player preliminary squad for this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin despite his absence from the national team for several months.

The former Mamelodi Sundowns talisman moved from Egyptian giants Al Ahly to Qatar SC in January, last played for the national team in their 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Nigeria in Uyo in June last year.

Broos explained at the time that Tau was excluded from most of his squads last year because he felt he had to protect the player amid undue criticism from fans in South Africa.

Since his move to the Qatar Stars League just over six weeks ago, Tau has played four times for his new club.

Broos has also named some interesting players, including defenders Khulumani Ndamane and Samukelo Kabini, midfielders Siphesihle Mkhize and Ndamulelo Maphangule and strikers Ashley Cupido and Devin Titus.

Goalkeepers:

Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Ricardo Goss (Supersport United)

Sage Stephens (Stellenbosch FC)

Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders:

Nyiko Mobbie (Supersport United)

Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy)

Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC)

Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs)

Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)

Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Deano Van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates)

Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania)

Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Samukelo Kabini (TS Galaxy)

Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC)

Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders:

Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United)

Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City)

Luke Le Roux (IFK Värnamo, Sweden)

Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United)

Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)

Forwards:

Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates)

Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC)

Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City)

Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)

Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates)

Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch FC)

Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Elias Mokwana (Esperance De Tunis, Tunisia)

Lyle Foster (Burnley, England)

Percy Tau (Qatar SC, Qatar)