When Hugo Broos finally unveiled his 25-man AFCON squad, the country reacted with the kind of passion only South Africans can summon for football. Pirates and Sundowns fans celebrated. Chiefs fans fumed. Analysts spent hours on radio and X trying to decode the logic.
At the centre of it all stood one headline question: why did Relebohile Mofokeng make the list, while Mduduzi Shabalala did not?
Broos, never one to shy away from explaining himself, has now laid out exactly how he made the big calls.
Read More: Inside Bafana Bafana’s Final 25-Man Squad for AFCON 2025 in Morocco
A Return That Forced Broos’ Hand: Mofokeng’s Late Surge Of Form
Source: Kickoff Magazine on X
Relebohile Mofokeng’s place in the AFCON squad was far from guaranteed just a month ago. The Orlando Pirates wonderkid missed the previous Bafana Bafana matches due to a frustrating injury, which opened the door for Kaizer Chiefs’ Mduduzi Shabalala to step in for the October camp.
But the moment Mofokeng returned, he refused to ease back into things. He came back blazing.
In his first few matches for Pirates, he reminded the country why he is considered one of the most naturally gifted attackers of his generation.
• An assist for Evidence Makgopa against Durban City
• A beautifully weighted pass that set up Yanela Mbuthuma against Golden Arrows
• A renewed confidence in tight spaces
• The kind of sudden acceleration that disrupts defensive structures
Broos admitted that once he saw Mofokeng at full fitness again, the decision became easy.
“He is very talented and very good. When he returned after his injury and I saw him playing like that, I did not doubt one second,” the coach said.
The Unexpected Central Striker: How Elias Mokwana Redefined His Role
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If Mofokeng’s selection made sense, Elias Mokwana’s raised more questions than eyebrows.
The attacker left Sekhukhune United as one of the most exciting wingers in the country before joining Esperance. Yet his time in Tunisia was underwhelming and he was soon loaned to Al Hazem in Saudi Arabia. That loan, however, revived him.
Broos revealed he had been watching Mokwana closely throughout his Saudi stint and was impressed by his adaptability.
“They used him as a striker, a central striker. And he did it well. For us, that means if we need someone there, we can always use Elias.”
This is significant because South Africa has historically struggled with producing prolific number nines. The last era that had a consistent, terrifying central striker was the Benni McCarthy generation.
Having a winger who can slot in as a striker gives Broos tactical flexibility he did not have at AFCON 2023.
Why Mduduzi Shabalala Just Missed Out
Kaizer Chiefs supporters were quick to question how Shabalala lost his place. The 20-year-old has been one of the bright spots in a turbulent season for Amakhosi, showing maturity and bravery on the ball.
But Broos’ logic came down to continuity.
Shabalala was called up as Mofokeng’s replacement in October, not because he was ahead in the pecking order, but because Mofokeng was injured. Once both players were fit, Broos leaned toward the one who was already part of his long-term structure.
It is not a snub, but timing. And if there is any solace for Chiefs fans, it is that Broos continues to speak highly of Shabalala’s talent. His time will come.
The Future Of Bafana: Why Broos Included Tylon Smith And Shandre Campbell
Source: Shakes Rampedi on X
Beyond the headline selections, Broos also caught attention by including two young rising stars.
• Tylon Smith, who helped South Africa win the U20 AFCON
• Shandre Campbell, the Club Brugge winger who missed the junior tournament due to club commitments
For Broos, this was about long-term investment.
“They are talented and they need to see what happens at Bafana level. They can learn during training. They have a lot to learn, but it will make it easier for them to become regular players,” he said.
Smith and Campbell are not expected to play big minutes at AFCON, but Broos wants them exposed to the pace, pressure, and demands of top-tier international football.
This is the kind of succession planning Bafana Bafana has lacked for years.
Source: PrinceSobayeni1 on X
South Africa’s AFCON History Sets The Stage For 2025
South Africa’s relationship with AFCON has been a rollercoaster. Since the home-soil glory of 1996, the nation has longed for another continental triumph.
Broos took the team to the semifinals in 2023, their best finish in over two decades. That bronze medal changed expectations. It restored belief. It made South Africans think that Bafana Bafana were back.
Now, in 2025, there is real pressure to go one better.
Broos knows this. That is why his selections balance experience from the 2023 squad, red-hot current form, and young talent that will define Bafana Bafana’s next chapter.
The Bigger Picture: Broos Is Building More Than An AFCON Squad
What stands out most is that Broos seems to be constructing a longer vision for South African football. His decisions reflect a commitment to players who understand his system, a reliance on attackers who bring speed, unpredictability and technique, and a belief that youth development must be woven into Bafana Bafana rather than treated as an afterthought.
Whether the decisions pay off in Morocco remains to be seen. But one thing is certain. Broos has built a squad with ambition, identity and hunger.
Source: Goal ZA
Featured Image Source: Bafana Bafana on X
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