AFCON 2025: Foreign-based trio to join South Africa camp in Morocco

Foreign-based trio of Lyle Foster, Shandre Campbell and Sphephelo Sithole will fly directly to Morocco to join their Bafana Bafana teammates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a delay in their arrival.

South Africa opened camp in Pretoria and are expected to take on Ghana in a pre-AFCON friendly on Tuesday before departing for Morocco for the tournament on Wednesday.

The trio, who plies their trade in Europe have yet to report to camp following their involvement in club football at the weekend.

Foster featured for Burnley in their 3-2 defeat to Fulham on Saturday, while Campbell made an appearance for Belgium side Club Brugge on Sunday.

Sphephelo Sithole, on the other side, will be in action for Portuguese outfit CD Tondela on Monday night before joining South Africa camp.

However, coach Hugo Broos, has confirmed the trio will travel directly to Morocco for the tournament.

Meanwhile, the team has been boosted by the arrival of Romanian-based defender Siyabonga Ngezana.

“We’re still not complete [as a team], Ngezana arrived yesterday [Sunday], it was something good cause he played last Thursday,” said Broos.

“There’s still Foster, Sithole and Campbell. Sithole is playing today, Campbell played yesterday Sunday, 10 minutes and Foster played on Saturday.

“We decided to let them come directly to Marrakech because we didn’t see the reason why they must come here with us also playing against Ghana tomorrow [Tuesday], as we’re taking flights to Morocco on Wednesday.

“So, we will see Foster, Sithole and Campbell when we arrive in Marrakech on Thursday.”

The Bafana Bafana have Angola, Zimbabwe and Egypt in their Group and open their AFCON campaign next Monday against Angola.