The China Mail - Sundowns, Pirates dominate South Africa World Cup squad

Sundowns won the CAF Champions League a second time last Sunday, defeating Moroccan rivals FAR Rabat 2-1 on aggregate in the final.

A day earlier, Pirates were crowned South African Premiership champions for the first time since 2012, ending a run of eight consecutive league titles by Sundowns.

A surprise omission was Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, whose outstanding form helped his club finish third behind Pirates and Sundowns in the Premiership.

He was set to be called up for World Cup warm-up matches against Panama two months ago, only to be sidelined by appendix surgery.

Belgian coach Hugo Broos included 19 local players in his 26-man squad, five play in Europe and two in the United States.

Among the 10 African qualifiers, Egypt are the only other nation that will rely largely on home-based stars. There were 18 in a preliminary squad of 27 chosen by coach Hossam Hassan.

Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams will captain South Africa, who face co-hosts Mexico in the World Cup opener on June 11, then tackle the Czech Republic and South Korea.

Group winners and runners-up advance to the round of 32 in a tournament boasting a record 48 teams. Eight of the 12 third-placed countries also qualify for the knockout phase.

South Africa are seeking to progress beyond the first round for the first time in four attempts after early exits from the 1998 and 2002 tournaments as qualifiers and the 2010 edition as hosts.

While accepting that Bafana Bafana will be the outsiders in Group A, Broos is confident his team can create history and secure a second-round slot.

"Anything is possible in football and every World Cup includes upsets. Who thought Morocco would reach the semi-finals at the last tournament?"

The 2026 World Cup will mark the end of the football career of 74-year-old Broos, a defender in the Belgium squad that finished fourth at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

"There cannot be a greater ending to my time as a footballer and a coach than going to a World Cup. I am in charge of a squad of fighters. Who knows what we may achieve?"

Squad

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

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Khuliso Mudau, Khulumani Ndamane (all Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosinathi Sibisi (both Pirates), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Samukele Kabini (Molde/NOR), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union/USA), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire/USA), Ime Okon (Hannover/GER)

Midfielders: Oswin Appollis, Thalente Mbatha, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Pirates), Jayden Adams, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane (all Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela/POR)

Forwards: Evidence Makgopa, Tshepang Moremi (both Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley/ENG), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol/CYP), Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns)

Coach: Hugo Broos (BEL)

X.So--ThChM