Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos has cleared the air on why Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen was left out of the final 26-man World Cup squad. Photo: Backpagepix
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has stated that his decision to exclude Brandon Petersen from the 26-member final squad for the Fifa World Cup 2026 was based solely on the goalkeeper's short integration time with the team, and not his goalkeeping ability.
Petersen was one of six players – alongside Brooklyn Pogenpoel, Patrick Maswanganyi, Thabiso Monyane, Thapelo Morena, and Leohang Maboe – dropped from the preliminary squad when Broos announced the final list at the Sefako Mokgatho Presidential Guesthouse on Wednesday night.
The omission of the Kaizer Chiefs No 1 and captain came as a shock to some in the football fraternity, particularly given his starring role in the team’s improved third-place finish in the Betway Premiership this past season.
However, Petersen faced stiff competition for the two deputy spots behind Bafana captain Ronwen Williams. Sipho Chaine had a breathtaking season with league winners Orlando Pirates, keeping a record-extending 21 clean sheets, while Ricardo Goss notably helped Siwelele avoid relegation with his heroics in goal.
