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Bafana’s Afcon opponents name provisional squads

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Peter Shalulile of Namibia celebrates during the 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers match between Namibia and Cameroon at the Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto on the 28 March 2023 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
  • Post published:December 22, 2023

All 24 competing teams at the 2023 African Cup of Nations to be staged in Ivory Coast from Jan. 13-Feb.

10 have named their provisional squads, which will be cut down to the required 23-28 players in the coming days.

It gives a glimpse into the thinking of the coaches, including those who take charge of teams in Bafana Bafana’s group.

We take a look at some of the key players named by South Africa’s opponents.

TUNISIA
Tunisia coach Jalel Kadri used his full allowance of 55 players in the provisional squad, with many of the usual suspects. It includes, of course, Percy Tau’s teammate at Al Ahly Ali Maaloul, and the Germany-based duo of Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Aissa Laidouni (Union Berlin). There are a pair of 20-year-olds based in England too in midfielders Hannibal Mejbri (Manchester United) and Samy Chouchane (Brighton & Hove Albion). Kadri has cast his net wide to also include forward Issam Jebali, who plays in Japan for Gamba Osaka. Talismanic captain Youssef Msakni is there, as is fellow Qatar-based forward Naim Sliti. Of the 55 players named, 19 are based in Tunisia.

MALI
Another of Tau’s teammates, midfielder Aliou Dieng, is in the Mali provisional squad along with a host of players from top leagues in Europe. Hamari Traore from high-flying Real Soceidad in Spain is there, along with Tottenham Hotspur’s Yves Bissouma, who is picking up more red cards than plaudits this season, and Wolves’ Boubacar Traore. Not surprisingly, 16 of the squad are based in France, with only eight that play in Mali. Also included is uncapped midfielder Mamadou Maiga, who plays in Russia. As expected, Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure does not appear on the list after he opted to take a break from international football.

NAMIBIA
Namibia coach Collin Benjamin has named 10 South Africa-based players in his provisional list. They include goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua (Chippa United) and Edward Maova (Pretoria Callies), defenders Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka FC), Lubeni Haukongo (Cape Town Spurs) and Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu), playmaker Joslin Kamatuka (Maritzburg United), winger Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates), and forwards Elmo Kambindu (Chippa United), Bethuel Muzeu (Black Leopards) and Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns). It is likely all of those will get the nod. There is also the Serbian-based trio of Prins Tjiueza, Aprocius Petrus and Junior Petrus, but 26 of the 46 players named ply their trade at home. Ryan Nyambe, who plays for Derby County in England, is also on the list.