Mothiba the ‘type of striker we don’t have’, says Broos as he names Bafana Bafana squad

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos on Wednesday announced a squad heavy with strikers for September’s friendlies, apparently keen to run the rule over some talented forwards as he seeks to resolve Bafana Bafana’s notorious scoring problems.

Big, 27-year-old France-based striker Lebo Mothiba — who made a bright start to his Bafana Bafana career from 2018 with four goals in 14 games but has not featured yet under Broos — is likely to make his return in a national team jersey having made the 23-player squad. 

SA meet Namibia on September 9 (3pm) and Democratic Republic of Congo on September 12 (5pm) in matches at Orlando Stadium in preparation for the start of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in November and Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast from January 13.

Broos can have a look at a potentially potent strike partnership of Strasbourg striker Mothiba and Burnley’s Lyle Foster in the matches.

“Lebo Mothiba was not playing for his club. And last season he played a few games and at the start of this season he’s played all their games and scored,” the coach said.

“And he’s the type of striker we don’t have. He’s big, he’s powerful.”

Yet, even with European-based Mothiba, who has battled injuries for the past two years, and Foster in the squad, Broos also has local-based options to consider. 

Zakhele Lepasa, who scored crucial goals for Bafana Bafana in Nations Cup qualifiers in 2023, has hit rampant form on his return from loan at SuperSport United to Orlando Pirates, with six goals in nine games for the Buccaneers.

Percy Tau remains Bafana’s key player in attack and hit form for Egyptian side Al Ahly last season. Monnapule Saleng is a key attacker and goal provider at Pirates.

Mamelodi Sundowns right-backs Khuliso Mudau and Thapelo Morena and Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane are out injured.

Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)

Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Thabiso Monyane (Orlando Pirates), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Maphosa Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport United), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders: Luke le Roux (Varbergs Bois, Sweden), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Grant Margeman (SuperSport United), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forwards: Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kobamelo Kodisang (Moreirense, Portugal), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Lebo Mothiba (RC Strasbourg, France), Monnapule Saleng (Orlando Pirates)