At the last edition in Ivory Coast, where South Africa finished third, there was a South African record of 10 players from Mamelodi Sundowns.
Remarkably, over 12 tournaments – including this month’s edition in Morocco – Pirates and Sundowns are tied for the biggest overall representation, with 43 call-ups each since South Africa’s debut at the finals in 1996. Kaizer Chiefs follow with 30, while Wits have contributed 11 and SuperSport United 10.
However, this is the second successive tournament without any representative from Kaizer Chiefs, following the same scenario two years ago. South Africa’s first 10 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments all featured at least one Chiefs player in the squad.
In the 2004 finals, when South Africa exited in the first round, Chiefs were the local club with the most players in the squad (five), while there were none from Pirates. Chiefs also had the highest representation in 2013, with seven players when South Africa hosted the tournament but were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Sundowns are the only club to have had at least one player in every Bafana Bafana Africa Cup of Nations squad.
The largest number of overseas-based players was recorded at the 2000 finals (Ghana and Nigeria), 2002 (Mali) and 2004 (Tunisia), when 12 foreign-based players were included in the 22-man squads.
By contrast, the last finals saw the smallest overseas contingent, with just three players based outside South Africa: Mihlali Mayambela (Cyprus), Sphephelo Sithole (Portugal) and Percy Tau (Egypt).
This month there will be eight players from clubs outside South Africa. Mbekezeli Mbokazi is still regarded as an Orlando Pirates player until his move to Chicago Fire is confirmed when the January transfer window opens.
From the 2006 finals in Egypt, squad sizes were increased to 23 players. At the most recent finals, 27 players were permitted, though coach Hugo Broos selected only 23. This time, he could have named 28 but has opted for a 25-man squad.
Club overs the years represented in Bafana Bafana Nations Cup squads:
1996
Kaizer Chiefs 2
Mamelodi Sundowns 5
Orlando Pirates 4
Pretoria City
QwaQwa Stars
Overseas clubs: 6
1998
Bloemfontein Celtic
Kaizer Chiefs 2
Mamelodi Sundowns 2
Orlando Pirates 4
Overseas clubs: 11
2000
Kaizer Chiefs
Mamelodi Sundowns 5
Orlando Pirates 4
Overseas clubs: 12
2002
Ajax Cape Town
Jomo Cosmos
Kaizer Chiefs 2
Mamelodi Sundowns 2
Orlando Pirates 2
Santos 2
Overseas clubs: 12
2004
Jomo Cosmos
Kaizer Chiefs 5
Mamelodi Sundowns
Wits University 3
Overseas clubs: 12
2006
Ajax Cape Town
Benoni Premier United
Bloemfontein Celtic
Free State Stars
Jomo Cosmos
Kaizer Chiefs
Mamelodi Sundowns
Orlando Pirates 5
SuperSport United 4
Overseas clubs: 6
2008
Ajax Cape Town 3
Bloemfontein Celtic
Kaizer Chiefs 2
Lamontville Golden Arrows
Mamelodi Sundowns 3
Orlando Pirates 2
SuperSport United
Wits University
Overseas clubs: 8
2013
Bloemfontein Celtic
Kaizer Chiefs 7
Mamelodi Sundowns 2
Moroka Swallows
Orlando Pirates 4
Platinum Stars
Overseas clubs: 7
2015
Ajax Cape Town
AmaZulu
Chippa United
Kaizer Chiefs 5
Mamelodi Sundowns 2
Orlando Pirates 3
SuperSport United
Overseas clubs: 5
2019
Bidvest Wits 4
Kaizer Chiefs 3
Mamelodi Sundowns 5
Orlando Pirates 2
SuperSport United 2
Overseas clubs: 6
2023
AmaZulu
Mamelodi Sundowns 10
Orlando Pirates 4
Sekhukhune United
Stellenbosch
SuperSport United 2
Overseas clubs: 3
2025
Mamelodi Sundowns 5
Orlando Pirates 9
Polokwane City
Siwelele
Overseas clubs: 8