With three players in the provisional Bafana Bafana squad, Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker is hopeful that the club will have representation in the final selection for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Stellenbosch FC’s Jayden Adams, Fawaaz Basadien, and Iqraam Rayners were all named by South Africa coach Hugo Broos in a provisional squad ahead of next year’s AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast, with a final selection set to be named on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking ahead of Stellies’ league encounter against Orlando Pirates, Barker revealed his hope that the trio would all make the cut for the showpiece tournament after each displayed an impressive level of consistency over the course of the 2023 calendar year.

“It would be massive for us as a football club to have representation in the Bafana Bafana squad at the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.

“I think it would cap off a really strong year by having one, two, or hopefully even three players in that squad. They have all shown good consistency throughout the season and are in good form, so I hope and trust that we can have them represent us.

RELATED | Barker celebrates Stellies trio’s provisional Bafana call-up

“We all need to get behind Bafana Bafana at the AFCON and I believe they will have a really strong tournament, and yes, it would be nice if we could have some players involved in that.”

Adams was named in the most recent Bafana Bafana squad for matches against Benin and Rwanda, although he did not take to the pitch, while Rayners previously represented South Africa at the 2023 COSAFA Cup earlier this year. Basadien is yet to be capped.

The final squad announcement is set to take place at 15h00 on Thursday afternoon and will be broadcast live on SABC 3.