Two Kaizer Chiefs' players made the cut as the head coach of Bafana Bafana Hugo Broos named his final 23-man squad for the international friendly games against Eswatini and Côte d’Ivoire this October.
Congratulations to the Glamour Boys that have been called up to their respective national teams 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇧🇼🇲🇿🇻🇪
More info➡️https://t.co/S76JFZpKK3#Amakhosi4Life #Khosified #SouthAfrica#Amakhosi4Life #Khosified
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) October 9, 2023
South Africa will host Eswatini on 13 October 2023 with the kick off set at 18:00 SAST. Bafana will then travel to West Africa to face next year’s Africa Cup of Nations host Côte d’Ivoire on 17 October 2023.
These two matches this month will help Broos to get even closer to the kind of team he has in mind for next year’s AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.
While players from two of the traditional big three teams in the Premier Soccer League (Sundowns and Pirates) are well represented on the selected 23-man list, Kaizer Chiefs had two players, midfielders Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Mduduzi Mdantsane. The later made the squad only after Percy Tau pulled out due to personal reasons.
Congratulations to Sibongiseni Mthethwa being selected for Bafana Bafana squad to face Ivory Coast and Eswatini 💪🏿💛✌🏿🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/Rls7rNdbpP
— Cellular® (@Cellular_jnr) October 5, 2023
To be fair, Molefi Ntseki's men have not been in good shape, blowing hot and cold alternatively, their minimal presence in Hugo Broos' team can be well understood following Chiefs' poor start to the PSL campaign. For the good of the national team, the best players should fight for the shirt, and that's why only the best have been selected.
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates remain the most represented clubs with at least four players, while AmaZulu, SuperSport and Sekhukhune United received at least one call-up. The rest of the 23 players ply their trade abroad.
Before we get to the full list of Kaizer Chiefs players called up for international duty, it's important to delve into the Bafana Bafana list.
Bafana Bafana 23-man squad for October Friendlies
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams [Mamelodi Sundowns], Veli Mothwa [AmaZulu FC], Ricardo Goss [SuperSport United].
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie [Sekhukhune United], Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Nkosinathi Sibisi [Orlando Pirates], Aubrey Modiba [Mamelodi Sundowns], Paseka Mako [Orlando Pirates] Mothobi Mvala [Mamelodi Sundowns], Siyanda Xulu [SuperSport United], Khuliso Mudau [Mamelodi Sundowns].
Midfielders: Njabulo Blom [St Louis FC], Teboho Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Sphephelo Sithole [C.D Tondela], Sibongiseni Mthethwa [Kaizer Chiefs], Mduduzi Mdantsane [Kaizer Chiefs].
Forwards: Mihlali Mayambela [Aris Limassol], Zakhele Lepasa [Orlando Pirates], Lyle Foster [Burnley], Lebo Mothiba [Strasbourg FC], Monnapule Saleng [Orlando Pirates], Bongokuhle Hlongwane [Minnesota], Themba Zwane [Mamelodi Sundowns].
Kaizer Chiefs players called up for international duty this October
As previously mentioned, Mduduzi Mdantsane and Sibongiseni Mthethwa made Broos' 23-man list for Bafana.
Elsewhere, there are other Kaizer Chiefs players who also received call-ups to represent their country in the October international window.
In total, five AmaKhosi were called up. The other three are Edson Castillo who will represent Venezuela in their games this October, Thatayoane Ditlhokwe who will feature for Botswana, and Edmilson Dove who was called up to the Mozambique squad.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago