Mamelodi Sundowns' Keanu Cupido should focus on CAF Champions League final after Bafana snub
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Mamelodi Sundowns' Keanu Cupido was among the most prominent absentees from Bafana Bafana's preliminary World Cup squad.
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Keanu Cupido cannot afford to drop his head ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns’ crucial CAF Champions League final second leg after being a notable exclusion from Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Bafana coach Hugo Broos announced his 32-member preliminary squad on Thursday night for the upcoming global showpiece in North America next month and, while there were no major surprises in the selection, Cupido was among the most prominent absentees.
The Johannesburg-born defender is currently enjoying his finest season at Sundowns. He has worked tirelessly — including repeatedly putting his body on the line — at centre-back in the team’s pursuit of silverware, particularly the Champions League.
After being injured in the 1–1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership, coach Miguel Cardoso initially ruled him out for the remainder of the season. However, he made a surprise return to the starting line-up in the 1–0 victory over AS FAR in the Champions League final first leg at home, delivering yet another incredibly solid performance.
During the post-match mixed zone deep in the bowels of Loftus Versfeld, Cupido revealed that he played the match under heavy medication to numb the pain in his shoulder — a massive risk he did not mind taking as long as he helped the team achieve their target.
Given his hard work, talent, and ultimate professionalism, many — including Sundowns’ 2016 Champions League winner Wayne Arendse — tipped him to be a certainty for Bafana’s final World Cup travelling squad.
“Cupido has been one of the guys who has been performing,” Arendse told Independent Media a day before the preliminary squad announcement. “He even started the Champions League final first leg after fears of him being injured, so that shows how much they regard him. I personally think he should be there.”
Cupido simply cannot afford to sulk or moan now. At 28 years old, he can still realistically target at least two more World Cup cycles.
For now, his primary focus must remain entirely on helping Sundowns produce another monolithic defensive display at what promises to be a highly hostile Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday (9pm kick-off) as they chase an elusive second continental crown.