In a surprising turn of events, Burnley striker Lyle Foster found himself excluded from Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad set to compete in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast. Foster, who recently made a comeback to action with his Premier League side Burnley, had taken a hiatus from the game to address mental health issues. Despite his return to the pitch, Vincent Kompany, the Burnley boss, had earlier expressed reservations about Foster’s readiness for the 2023 AFCON, a sentiment seemingly shared by coach Broos, leading to Foster’s complete omission from the squad.

Notably, Broos has placed considerable trust in Mamelodi Sundowns, naming 10 of their players in the squad. The team will be led by Ronwen Williams, with Veli Mothwa and Ricardo Goss securing their spots as the other two goalkeepers.

The squad heavily leans towards locally-based talents, with only a handful of players plying their trade abroad. Among them are Al Ahly’s Percy Tau, Aris Limassol’s Mihlali Mayambela, and Sphephelo Sithole from Tondela FC in Portugal.

The Full Bafana Bafana squad is as follows:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)

Defenders: Sydney Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Khuliso Mudua, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala, Terrence Mashigo (all Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport United)

Midfielders: Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Teboho Mokoena, Thapelo Maseko, Thapelo Morena (All Sundowns), Thabang Monare (Orlando Pirates), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC)

Forwards: Evidence Makgopa, Zakhele Lepasa (both Pirates), Themba Zwane (Sundowns), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Oswin Appolis (Polokwane City)

As Bafana Bafana prepares for the AFCON challenge, the absence of Lyle Foster and the predominance of Sundowns stars underscore the strategic choices made by coach Broos in assembling the squad.