4 days ago
South Africa's CHAN squad blends free agents and rising stars in title bid
South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki has named a 25-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), featuring a strong mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talents — but strikingly, nearly half the squad are currently without clubs.
With the CHAN tournament restricted to players plying their trade in their domestic leagues, the timing of the competition — set to run from 2–30 August in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda — has created challenges for many nations, including Bafana Bafana.
The squad was unveiled in Johannesburg on Thursday, with Mamelodi Sundowns contributing the most players (five).
Ntseki has turned this into an opportunity, banking on continuity, grit, and hunger among players who helped South Africa qualify.
The coach praised the team's journey so far and expressed optimism ahead of their Group C challenge, which includes hosts Uganda, Algeria, Niger, and Guinea.
'We just want to take this opportunity to thank the SAFA Technical Committee for giving us the opportunity to lead this team in the CHAN tournament,' said Ntseki.
'We have assembled a team that will represent South Africa in the CHAN tournament.'
Notably, 12 of the 25 selected players are unattached, including familiar names like Zakhele Lepasa, Keagan Dolly, and Thabiso Kutumela.
Ntseki is betting on their international experience and motivation to shine on the continental stage — and perhaps secure fresh contracts in the process.
'The team that we have selected is mostly composed of the players we started this journey with,' Ntseki added.
'So we are looking forward to the tournament and to do our best. We just want to say thanks to the clubs and to the coaches who managed to release players for our CHAN team to have a good squad going into the tournament.'
The squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Friday, 25 July, before travelling to Uganda on Sunday, 3 August.
South Africa opens its campaign against Algeria on Friday, 8 August, with other group games against Niger, Guinea, and Uganda — a co-host that could draw massive home crowds.
SAFA Technical Committee Chairman Jack Maluleke emphasized that Ntseki was the right man to lead the side into the tournament, having guided them through a tricky qualification campaign that included victories over Egypt and Malawi.
'He got us to this stage of the journey and it is only right that he completes the job in the CHAN tournament itself,' said Maluleke.
With a healthy mix of players hungry to prove themselves and those with prior international exposure, South Africa's campaign will be closely watched — not just for results, but for signs of revival in the country's local football ranks.
South Africa Final Squad – TotalEnergies CHAN 2025
