AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Mbatha and Adam Withdraw from Bafana Bafana Squad • BrainBurst

Bafana Bafana Coach Makes Two Changes to Squad for Congo AFCON Qualifier

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has announced the withdrawal of Thalente Mbatha and Jayden Adams for the upcoming Group K 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Republic of Congo, reports BrainBurst.

Both players were initially named in the 23-man squad that will battle the Red Devils on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Orlando Pirates star Mbatha was replaced by Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bathusi Aubaas after scans confirmed a knee injury following his team’s participation in the MTN8 cup final on Saturday in Durban.

Meanwhile, Broos explained that Adams was replaced by Sinoxolo Kwayiba of Chippa United after failing to report to camp on the agreed date, despite his Stellenbosch teammate Fawaaz Basadien reporting on time.

“Jayden Adams is replaced by [Sinoxolo] Kwayiba. I will not give so much comment about that, but the behaviour of Jayden forced me to put him out of the team,” the Belgian tactician stated in a press conference.

“If you ask [expect] something about a player, it’s that they are professionals, so if I feel that a guy doesn’t have that attitude, then for me it’s done.

“He is not a guy who is 16. He’s not an old player either, but if he has the attitude that he had, the only thing I can do is get him out of the group, because this is not what I want from players.

“In the past months, several times I said, what a group I have. I was so happy with the group: the right attitude, the right behaviour, professional, and everything you want.

“So, I can’t afford to let someone in that doesn’t have that attitude anymore. So, it’s up to Jayden now to think about it, on what he’s going to do with his future.”

Bafana Bafana will face the Congolese team in a return match next Tuesday at the Stade Alphonse Massemba-Debat in Brazzaville.

What do you think about Bafana Bafana’s decision to drop Thalente Mbatha and Jayden Adams? Share your thoughts in the comments below!