Romanian-based Ngezana cracks nod in Bafana's 50-man preliminary Afcon squad

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named a preliminary squad consisting of 50 players for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The cut-off date for finalising what will become a trimmed-down 23-man squad is scheduled for Wednesday, 3 January.

The tournament, held in Ivory Coast, is set to commence on 13 January and will run until 11 February.

While the core group includes familiar names who have been regulars in the men's national senior side, the 71-year-old has also provided opportunities to players who have impressed him.

Goalkeeper Bruce Bvuma is in with a shout after his recent showing for Kaizer Chiefs in the wake of Itumeleng Khune's suspension.

Meanwhile, Siyabonga Ngezana, the former Amakhosi centre-back who now plays for Romanian Liga I club FCSB, is among the defenders, along with Fawaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC) and Terrence Mashego (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Goodman Mosele (Chippa United) and Ethan Brooks (AmaZulu) have been named among the midfielders. Both players had been called up before, but they fell out of favour this year as Broos opted to search for talents elsewhere.

Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates) also made the cut with Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu), Elias Mokwena (Sekhukhune United) and Iqraam Rayners (Stellenbosch FC) also pushing for a spot in Broos' final Afcon squad. 

Broos and the Bafana squad will depart for Ivory Coast early in the new year and will be based in Korhogo.

Their first match will be against Mali on Wednesday, 16 January before they face neighbours Namibia five days later on Sunday, 21 January.

Their final group fixture will be against Tunisia on Wednesday, 24 January. 

Group A: Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau 

Group B: Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde, Mozambique 

Group