The national team will assemble for camp between 6–15 October, with back-to-back fixtures set for Durban and Mbombela.

South Africa face Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on 10 October before hosting Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium four days later, as they continue their push for a place at the global showpiece.

Broos has made several changes from the September squad, with Khuliso Mudau and Malibongwe Khoza of Sundowns, along with Nkosinathi Sibisi of Orlando Pirates, returning to strengthen the backline.

Sphephelo Sithole also makes a comeback to midfield after missing last month’s matches.

Missing out this time are Sydney Mobbie, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Ime Okon, and Siyabonga Ngezana, while midfielders Luke Le Roux and forwards Kamogelo Sebelebele, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Mduduzi Shabalala have also been dropped.

The rest of the squad core remains in place, with captain Ronwen Williams, Europe-based Lyle Foster, and rising stars Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota all retained.

Final 23-man Bafana Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela SC, Portugal), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)

Forwards: Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC, England), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)

JEN MENDELEWITSCH

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