Bafana Bafana bolstered by Ronwen Williams, Percy Tau for Congo Afcon qualifiers

FILE - Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams makes a save during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Williams is back in the Bafana fold following a shoulder injury. Picture: Sia Kambou / AFP

FILE - Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ronwen Williams makes a save during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Williams is back in the Bafana fold following a shoulder injury. Picture: Sia Kambou / AFP

Published Sep 24, 2024

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Bafana Bafana have been boosted by the return of captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, as well as Percy Tau, for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against the Congo.

The duo was included in a preliminary squad for the matches that will be played next month.

Williams missed the Afcon qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan after having surgery on an injured shoulder during the off-season. Williams recently made his return to action in the league for Mamelodi Sundowns against SuperSport United, and also started in Wednesday’s Betway Premiership win over Marumo Gallants.

Bafana Bafana, who finished third at the 2024 Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast, drew 2-2 against Uganda at home following a couple of mistakes from stand-in goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.

However, they managed to get over the line against South Sudan with a 3-2 win away from home after another late strike from Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly forward Tau is back in the mix after he was left out of the previous squad. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos hinted that Tau was maybe lacking a bit of match sharpness.

However, the Bafana attacker seems to have found his form and his goal-scoring boots after recently netting twice in Al Ahly’s CAF Champions League match against Gor Mahia of Kenya.

Bafana will take on Congo at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on October 11, before travelling to to the Congo for the return match four days later.

Two wins will set Bafana well on their way to qualify for Afcon, which will be held in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

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