Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane returns to the national team for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco

Themba Zwane is back in contention for a place in the Bafana Bafana side destined for the Africa Cup of Nations next month.

Zwane has been injured since September and has missed out of the national side’s crucial qualifiers including the last match against Zimbabwe and Rwanda as Bafana fought to book their place at the World Cup.

His injury has also kept him out of the Mamelodi Sundowns side, where he is also captain.

The inclusion of Zwane in the 54-man preliminary squad by Hugo Broos is sending shockwaves all-round as its unfathomable how an injured player is considered while non-injured players are overlooked.

A debate of who is better between an injured Zwane and an on from Thembinkosi Lorch is likely to ensue as Lorch has been impressive for Wydad Casablanca.

Lorch is also comparatively fitter than Zwane.

Broos announced his 54-man preliminary squad today for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The tournament in North Africa starts on 21 December until 18 January and Bafana are in the same group with Angola, Zimbabwe and Egypt.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Ricardo Goss – Siwele FC, Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates FC, Renaldo Leaner – Sekhukhune FC, Darren Johnson – AmaZulu FC, Brandon Petersen – Kaizer Chiefs FC

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Fezile Ngcaba – Durban City FC, Thabang Matuludi – Polokwane City FC, Thabo Moloi­sane – Stellenbosch FC, Khulumani Ndamane – TS Galaxy FC, Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Orlando Pirates FC, Aubrey Modiba – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Ime Okon – Hannover 96 (Germany), Samukelo Kabini – Molde FK (Norway), Keegan Allan – AmaZulu FC, Vuyo Letlapa – Sekhukhune FC, Nkosinathi Sibisi – Orlando Pirates FC, Malibongwe Khoza – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Siyabonga Ngezana – FCSB (Romania), Thapelo Morena – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Thabiso Monyane – Kaizer Chiefs FC, Tylon Smith – Queens Park Rangers (England), Fawaaz Basadien – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Bradley Cross – Kaizer Chiefs FC

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Luke Le Roux – Portsmouth FC (England), Bathusi Aubaas – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Thalente Mbatha – Orlando Pirates FC, Siphesihle Mkhize – Sekhukhune FC, Siphesihle Maduna – TS Galaxy FC, Ndamulelo Maphangule – Polokwane City FC, Sphephelo Sithole – CD Tondela (Portugal), Masindi Nemtajela – Orlando Pirates FC, Mthetheleli Mthiyane – Stellenbosch FC

Forwards: Oswin Appollis – Orlando Pirates FC, Kamogelo Sebelebele – Orlando Pirates FC, Patrick Maswanganyi – Orlando Pirates FC, Iqraam Rayners – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Mduduzi Shabalala – Kaizer Chiefs FC, Mohau Nkota – Al Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia), Themba Zwane – Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Lyle Foster – Burnley FC (England), Puso Dithejane – TS Galaxy FC, Bongokuhle Hlongwane – Minnesota SC (USA), Tshepang Moremi – Orlando Pirates FC, Mihlali Mayambela – Aris Limassol (Cyprus), Ashley Cupido – Stellenbosch FC, Evidence Makgopa – Orlando Pirates FC, Sipho Mbule – Orlando Pirates FC, Keletso Makgalwa – Sekhukhune FC, Shandre Campbell – Club Brugge (Belgium), Relebohile Mofokeng – Orlando Pirates FC, Elias Mokwama – Al Hazem (Saudi Arabia).