There was still no room for several Sundowns stars as Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos named his preliminary squad who will do battle in the upcoming 2023 Afcon qualifiers.

After failing to qualify for the World Cup, Bafana and Broos will be desperate to get over the line this time in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The South African national side are set to kick off their campaign with games against Morocco and Zimbabwe in June. They will play Morocco in Rabat on 9 June and then host Zimbabwe at FNB Stadium on 13 June.

The preliminary squad include the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Aubrey Modiba Lebohang Maboe and Ashley Du Preez, but the experience of Themba Zwane and Andile Jali have again been overlooked.

The final squad is expected to be confirmed on 26 May.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Bruce Bvuma, Brandon Petersen (both Kaizer Chiefs).

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Khuliso Mudau, Grant Kekana, Lyle Lakay, Aubrey Modiba (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Bandile Shandu, Innocent Maela (both Orlando Pirates), Thibang Phete (Belenenses, Portugal), Siyabonga Ngezana (Chiefs), Taariq Fielies, Terrence Mashego (both Cape Town City), Luke Fleurs (SuperSport), Thabani Zuke (Golden Arrows), Athenkosi Mcaba (Stellenbosch FC).

Midfielders: Spephele Sithole (Belenenses, Portugal), Goodman Mosele, Thabang Monare, Fortune Makaringe (all Pirates), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune), Lebohang Maboe (Sundowns), Phathutshedzo Nange (Chiefs), Jesse Donn (SuperSport), Mduduzi Mdantsane (City), Thapelo Morena (Sundowns).

Strikers: Thembinkosi Lorch (Pirates), Ashley du Preez (Stellenbosch), Keagan Dolly (Chiefs), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Khanyisa Mayo (City), Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids, Egypt), Lyle Foster (Westerlo, Belgium), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, USA), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Pule Mmodi (Arrows).