South Africa coach Hugo Broos buckled under media pressure and included the American-based centre back Olwethu Makhanya in a preliminary squad for the two friendlies against Panama this month.
The Philadelphia Union centre back, who helped his side to top the table at the end of the regular season in Major League Soccer last year, was named among 38 players on Monday.
Broos has been under fire for ignoring the achievement of the 21-year-old former Stellenbosch centre back.
South Africa face Panama in two friendlies in the build-up to June’s World Cup, hosting the Central American side on March 27 and March 31, first in Durban and then in Cape Town.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced a preliminary squad for the two international friendly matches against Panama later this month. #BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @adidasZA @adidasfootball @CastleLagerSA @HonorAfrica @flysaa @SABC_Sport @SouthernSunGrp pic.twitter.com/xgTHibejLl
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 9, 2026
Makhanya is the only new face in the preliminary squad, but five players who were at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with Bafana at the turn of the year are out.
They are midfield hardman Bathusi Aubaas, Shandre Campbell, who plays in Belgium, Saudi-based winger Elias Mokwana, out of form Sipho Mbule and injured defender Siyabonga Ngezana.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams is back after being ignored for the Morocco tournament despite playing in the Ivory Coast in 2024 when South Africa finished third.
The preliminary squad will be reduced to a smaller squad for the two friendlies, which will give an indication of who is in line to play at the World Cup in June, where South Africa open the tournament against co-hosts Mexico in Mexico City on June 11.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Samukelo Kabini (Molde, Norway), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA), Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Morena, Khuliso Mudau, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers, England), Deano van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, USA), Luke le Roux (Portsmouth, England), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mthetheleli Mthinyane (Stellenbosch), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Patrick Maswanaganyi, Yanela Mbuthuma, Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns).