Broos unfazed by points deduction

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, has named his final squad for the all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda this month.

Bafana will face Zimbabwe away at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday, 10 October, before hosting Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium, Mpumalanga, on Tuesday, 14 October. Both matches are set to kick-off at 18:00.

The fairly regular side sees first call ups for Mamelodi Sundowns defender Malibongwe Khoza, Orlando Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi, and Polokwane City defender Thabang Matuludi.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announces his squad for the final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe (Moses Mabhida Stadium) and Rwanda (Mbombela) this month.#BafanaPride@SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/0XwK44e8xD

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 2, 2025

The qualifiers come shortly after Bafana were docked three points for fielding Teboho Mokoena illegally in a previous qualifier which he was suspended for. Broos says this is extra motivation for him and his team going into the must win clashes.

“It is an extra motivation for me, and I will try to transfer it to the group (the whole team), even though I know that I do not have to because they will be ready for these two games,” he said.

The team will assemble in Roodepoort on Monday, 6 October 2025, staying in Johannesburg until Thursday before flying to Durban for the Zimbabwe clash. After the game, they will travel to Mbombela on Saturday to prepare for the Rwanda fixture.

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari