Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Mandla Masango has expressed disappointment over Orlando Pirates’ Relebohile Mofokeng being left out of the preliminary Bafana Bafana squad.
Coach Hugo Broos chose his 50-man Bafana squad on Thursday for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast.
Mofokeng, at just 19 years old, has been turning heads with standout performances for the Sea Robbers, making 17 appearances across various competitions this season.
Despite earning a call-up to the national under-20 squad, Masango, who himself boasts 22 caps for Bafana, believes it’s time for Mofokeng to step up to the senior team. Masango expressed his desire to see the young talent included in the squad, emphasizing the positive impact it could have on Mofokeng’s confidence.
“I wouldn’t say he’s been overlooked, but I would’ve loved to see Mofokeng as part of the travelling squad because he’s young and he’s doing very well. He doesn’t even have to play, but that on its own will give him a confidence booster,” Masango stated in a recent media interaction.
Drawing a parallel with international stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, who made their national debuts at a young age, Masango believes exposing Mofokeng to the senior team environment would be beneficial for his development.
While acknowledging Bafana coach Hugo Broos’s divisive style of play, Masango expressed confidence in the team’s progress and their qualification for major tournaments. He affirmed his support for Broos, emphasizing that, ultimately, it’s about the results on the pitch.
“I’m confident going to the AFCON because, at the end of the day, it’s all about results. For us to qualify for AFCON speaks volumes about the kind of progress we are making,” Masango asserted.
The AFCON journey for Bafana Bafana kicks off on January 16 against Mali, followed by clashes with Namibia and Tunisia in the group stages.