OFFICIAL: Bafana AFCON opponents' prelim squads revealed

With CAF having released every provisional squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, here's a look at the preliminary teams selected by the nations in Bafana Bafana's Group E, including players from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United!

Preparations for the next AFCON are well underway, with every participating nation having by now released its provisional squad for the tournament. South Africa head coach Hugo Broos named a stacked 50-man preliminary group last week, with inclusions such as Romania-based Siyabonga Ngezana and Njabulo Blom of St. Louis City in the United States.

The squads for Bafana's fellow Group E members Mali, Namibia and Tunisia were also revealed this week.

Read: OFFICIAL: The EPL's newest manager confirmed!

MALI

Les Aigles' squad is headlined by Spurs playmaker Yves Bissouma, who has been one of the English outfit's standout players so far in the Premier League this season. Following Ange Postecoglou's arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the midfielder has started in every game he has been available for in the English top flight. Other top names included in the west Africans' provisional side are Amadou Haidara of RB Leipzig, Mohamed Camara of AS Monaco, and Moussa Djenepo of Standard Liege.

Mali's full provisional squad

Bosso Ibrahim Mounkoro (TP Mazembe), Hamari Traore (Real Sociedad), Sikou Niakate (Braga), Amadou Haidara (RB Leipzig), Boubacar Kiki Kouyate (Montpellier), Massadio Haidara (RC Lens), Moussa Doumbia (Al Adalah Club), Diadie Samassekou (Hoffenheim), El Bilal Toure (Atalanta), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Lassana Coulibaly (Salernitana), Mohamed Camara (AS Monaco), Nene Dorgeles (RB Salzburg), Adama Traore (Hull City), Mamadou Fofana (Amiens SC), Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Falaye Sacko (Montpellier), Boubacar Traore (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Fousseni Diabate (Laussane Sport), Sekou Koita (RB Salzburg), Kamory Doumbia (Stade Brest), Ismael Diarra Diawara (Malmo), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Aboubacar Doumbia (AFE), Bourama Kone (Yeleen Olympique), Youssouf Koita (Djoliba), N'Golo Traore (Stade Malien Bamako), Lassine Diarra (Olympique Lyon), Amadou Dante (Sturm Graz), Moussa Diarra (Toulouse FC), Daouda Guindo (RB Salzburg), Mamadou Sekou Traore (Muthair SC), Almamy Toure (FC Kaiserslautern), Ibrahima Cisse (Schalke 04), Ibrahima Sissoko (Strasbourg FC), Mamady Diambou (RB Salzburg), Ibrahim Sissoko (Saint-Etienne), Lassine Fanta Mady Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre), Youssoufou Niakate (Bani Yas FC), Moussa Djenepo (Standard Liege), Kalifa Coulibaly (US Quevilly Rouen Metropole), Mamadou Doumbia (AS Black Stars), Alassane Plea (Stade Lavallois), Sirine Ckene Doucoure (Lorient FC), Mamadou Maiga (FC Pari Nizny Novgorod), Cheick Oumar Konate (Clermont FC), Mamadou Samassa (Stade Lavallois), Ibrahim Diarra (Africa Foot), Hamidou Makalou (JMG), Modibo Sissoko (Stade Malien), Sory Ibrahim Diarra (FK Haugesung)

NAMIBIA

Namibia are set to make their fourth appearance at an AFCON tournament, with the team having been eliminated in the first round in each of their three previous participations. The Brave Warriors are the lowest-ranked team (115th) in the group, and many of their hopes will be vested in their leading marksman Peter Shalulile of Mamelodi Sundowns. The centre-forward has registered 11 goal involvements in 17 appearances so far this season, and he will look to the likes of compatriots Riaan Hanamub of AmaZulu and Dean Hotto of Orlando Pirates to help him guide them beyond the group stage for the first time.

Namibia's full provisional squad

Loydt Kazapua (Chippa United), Denzil Haoseb (Khomas Nampol FC), Ananias Gebhardt (Baroka FC), Riaan Hanamub (AmaZulu FC), Vetunuavi Charles Hambira (African Stars), Romeo Ngajozikue Kasume (Matabele FC), Deon Hotto (Orlando Pirates), Elmo Kambindu (Chippa United), Muzeu Betuel (Black Leopards), Prins Tjiueza (KF Liria Prizren), Absalom Manjana Iimbondi (Khomas Nampol FC), Kennedy Amutenya (Gaborone United), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns), Joslin Kamatuka (Maritzburg United), Marcel Papama (Jwaneng Galaxy), Kamaijanda Ndisiro (African Stars), Rudath Wendell (Jwaneng Galaxy), Aprocius Megameno Petrus (KF Liria Prizren), Petrus Shitembi (Kuching City), Ivan Kamberipa (Orapa FC), Ngero Katua (UNAM), Ryan Nyambe (Derby County), Jonas Matheus (Ongos FC), Ronaldo Kamatuka (UNAM), Simon Elago (Ongos FC), Junior Simaneka (KF Liria Prizren), Uetuuru Kambato (African Stars), Edward Maova (Pretoria Callies), Immanuel Immanuel (Blue Waters), Mwatuoovange Erasmus Ikeinge (Khomas Nampol FC), Lubeni Haukongo (Cape Town Spurs), Mutuezu Given (Mighty Gunners), Edmund Uda Kambanda (African Stars), Ronald Himeekua Ketjijere (African Stars), Paulus Amutenya (UNAM), Lawrence Doeseb (Life Fighters FC), Leevi Luaman Alfeus (Eeshoke Chula Chula), Revered Matroos (Khomas Nampol FC), Tjipenandjambi Carl Karuuombe (UNAM), Erastus Kulula (Blue Waters FC), Steven Junior Damaseb (Blue Waters FC), Sem Ndeshipanda Ndahangwapo (Blue Waters FC), Moses Shidolo (Blue Waters FC), Isaskar Gurirab (Blue Waters FC), Devin Somseb (Tigers FC)

TUNISIA

Just like South Africa, Tunisia have only one AFCON title to their name, with their sole continental triumph coming in 2004 under the guidance of Roger Lemerre, who also won the 1998 FIFA World Cup with France as their assistant coach. One of United's breakout stars this season, Hannibal Mejbri, is one of the notable inclusions to look out for, while Anis Ben Slimane of Sheffield United, Ellyes Joris Skhiri of Eintracht Frankfurt, and Percy Tau's Al Ahly teammate Ali Maaloul will provide a formidable supporting cast for the Lions of Carthage.

Tunisia's full provisional squad

The deadline for the final squads to be submitted is 3 January, with the tournament starting on 13 January and concluding on 11 February.

You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.

Click here to register!

WATCH: