The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced the Bafana Bafana squad for the COSAFA Cup 2025.

The squad was made public on Friday in a statement released on SAFA’s website.

South African U-17 men’s national team coach Vela Khumalo will be at the helm, assisted by former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane.

The squad includes players who were named in Hugo Broos’ preliminary squad for Bafana Bafana’s upcoming international friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique, and some who are being considered for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in August, according to Khumalo.

“The COSAFA squad has players who will be considered for CHAN in August, and also includes players that were recommended by coach Hugo Broos. These are players that were selected in the Bafana Bafana squad [for the international friendlies] but did not make the final list announced yesterday. But the coach [Broos] wanted them to play so that he can also see how they perform in an international tournament,” he said.

Khumalo is confident ahead of the tournament and believes that his side will have an advantage due to the tournament being hosted on home soil.

“We are looking forward to this tournament and we’re playing at home, we’re playing in Bloemfontein, and we cannot compromise the team. This is another Bafana Bafana team and I’m happy, I’m excited. We want to go through, and we want to win COSAFA.”

South Africa last won the competition in 2021, beating guest-nation Senegal 5-4 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes. They will be looking to dethrone Angola, the tournament’s current title holders.

The 24th edition of the tournament will be hosted in Bloemfontein from 4-15 June where South Africa will face Mozambique, Mauritius and Zimbabwe in Group A.

South Africa COSAFA Cup squad:

Bruce Bvuma – Kaizer Chiefs

Thakasani Mbanjwa – SuperSport United

Mondli Mpoto – unattended

Aden McCarthy – Kaizer Chiefs

Athenkosi Mcaba – Stellenbosch FC

Ime Okon – SuperSport United

Kwanda Mngonyama – AmaZulu FC

Siyanda Msani – Tuks FC

Gape Moralo – SuperSport United

Yandisa Mfolozi – SuperSport United

Fezile Gcaba – Richards Bay

Vuyo Letlapa – Sekhukhune United

Thabo Cele – Kaizer Chiefs

Siphesihle Mkhize – Sekhukhune United

Kamogelo Sebelebele – TS Galaxy

Puso Dithejane – TS Galaxy

Mduduzi Shabalala – Kaizer Chiefs

Sanele Barns – Stellenbosch FC

Mokibelo Ramabu – Polokwane City

Victor Letsoalo – TS Galaxy

Wandile Duba – Kaizer Chiefs

Boitumelo Radiopane – Orlando Pirates

Masindi Nemtajela – Marumo Gallants