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Ready to stake claim - Bafana Bafana's new faces under Broos looking to impress in Namibia & DR Congo friendlies

Michael Madyira
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Mbunjana, Margeman, Mothiba & Monyane
GOAL
As the former Cameroon coach builds his squad for the Afcon finals, he is also trying out players he has never selected in his final squad before.

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has included five new faces in his squad for the upcoming international friendly matches against Namibia and DR Congo.

While some of the players have previously been capped by South Africa, they have never been called up by the Belgian or selected in his final 23-man squads.

GOAL runs through the players who are currently in camp but have never played under the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title-winning coach.

Editors' Picks

  1. Mlungisi Mbunjana
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    Mlungisi Mbunjana

    This is the TS Galaxy captain's first-ever Bafana call-up and he came in as a replacement for injured Teboho Mokoena.

    While Broos usually prefers players under the age of 33, he turned to Mbunjana who has been in good form for the Rockets.

    Some might be surprised by this selection as he was preferred ahead of Njabulo Blom.

  2. Lebo Mothiba
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    Lebo Mothiba

    The RC Strasbourg striker used to be a Bafana regular until a career-threatening injury struck.

    He last played for Bafana at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt where he started every match as South Africa reached the quarter-finals.

    There was pressure on Broos to pick Mothiba after he regained fitness, but the Belgian coach was resisting until now.

  4. Grant Margeman
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    Grant Margeman

    Margeman took long to graduate into the Bafana fold after previously being a regular for the South Africa Under-20 and Under-23 sides.

    His time with the senior national team seemed to have arrived in 2019 when he was part of the Cosafa Cup side made up of fringe players.

    But after some eye-catching performances for SuperSport United this season, Broos has finally recognised him and he could feature on Saturday against Namibia.

  5. Thabiso Monyane
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    Thabiso Monyane

    Another former South Africa youth international, Monyane is finally in the senior national side.

    He has shown character when battling for the right-back position with Bandile Shandu at Orlando Pirates and that could be what impressed Broos.

    If he gets to play on Saturday, that would be his first Bafana cap and he would hope to impress and be considered for future games.

  7. Kobamelo Kodisang
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    Kobamelo Kodisang

    Kodisang was included in Broos preliminary squad for the 2023 Afcon qualifier against Morocco.

    But he did not make the final cut and is another player who is yet to be capped at senior level after being a regular with youth sides.

    The Portugal-based midfielder has now got an opportunity to prove to the Bafana coach that he needs to regularly play for the national team and go to January's Afcon finals.

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