Zero Chiefs stars, but Sundowns-heavy Bafana squad 'will surely help,' says captain Williams

Hugo Broos announced his 23-man Bafana Bafana squad and left out Kaizer Chiefs players for the first time in the national team's history since readmission in 1992.

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The decision had tongues wagging throughout the country as Bafana face Liberia in crucial home and away Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Goalkeeper Brandon Peterson was the only Chiefs player Broos named in his 35-man preliminary squad before eliminating 12 names. 

The likes of Yusuf Maart, Keagan Dolly, Kgaogelo Sekgota and Ashley Du Preez all missed out on a Bafana call up. 

While Amakhosi had no players representing the Bafana squad, Broos called up eight Mamelodi Sundowns players, the most out of any club in the country.

Ronwen Williams, Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena, Maphosa Modiba, Mothobi Mvala, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane and Cassius Mailula all made the final 23 and are expected to be in the core starting eleven over the two matches.

"Obviously, it's nice having a lot of familiar faces. But the main thing is that all 23 players are here for a reason," said Bafana Bafana captain Wiliams.

"It shows they're doing well for their clubs. We all have a job, which is for whoever's on the field on the day to represent South Africa and do well and qualify for Afcon.

"But surely the guys from Sundowns will help. We'll speak to the guys [about] the experience we've picked up the last few months, the last few years, some of them [from Sundowns], to make things a bit easier and use it to our advantage."

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Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu),