TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi: Bafana can spring a few surprises at the World Cup

South Africa have been a team revitalised under current head coach Hugo Broos, impressing at the two most recent Africa Cup of Nations, alongside World Cup qualification.

They have been drawn in a tricky Group A featuring hosts Mexico, who they play in the tournament opener at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City, as well as South Korea and the Czech Republic.

Sukazi noted that a number of players selected by Broos in his final 26-man squad, announced on Wednesday, come from the local Betway Premiership.

Speaking after the announcement, the Galaxy supremo paid credit to league for producing a squad of players he feels can spring a few surprises at the global showpiece.

The squad was largely made of players from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, although Polokwane City was also represented with the inclusion of Thabang Matuludi, as Kaizer Chiefs' uncapped defender Bradley Cross also made the cut.

Speaking after the announcement, Sukazi said in the Citizen: "Credit to the league, the executive committee led by chairman Irvin Khoza, and senior member Kaizer Motaung.

"This is the reward for many years of hard work. There has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to build the league into what it is today."

"I think they will be a surprise package,” Sukazi added.

"We are taking a squad made up of about 80% locally based players. We have played in back-to-back AFCON tournaments with most of the players coming from our league, and I think that speaks to the quality of our league."