CHAN gives Bafana coach Hugo Broos a few more World Cup options
Image: Backpagepix
Bafana Bafana's African Nations Championship campaign may have ended prematurely at the group stages, but there were encouraging signs to take forward.
Under the guidance of Molefi Ntseki on the touchline, and with head coach Hugo Broos monitoring closely from home, South Africa unearthed several players who seized the opportunity to shine on the continental stage. Their performances not only provided a glimmer of promise in an otherwise disappointing exit, but also strengthened the pool of talent available for the senior side.
With crucial Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers looming against Lesotho and continental giants Nigeria, these fresh options could provide Broos and his technical team with a timely boost in depth, competition and energy.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad loading
Malibongwe Khoza
The 22-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns talent impressed by adapting to a defensive midfield role, despite normally playing at centre-back.
Drawing on his experience in the DStv Diski Challenge, Khoza showcased composure, positioning and calm distribution under pressure. His versatility, tactical awareness and maturity beyond his years made him one of the brightest sparks for Bafana at CHAN, suggesting he could be a long-term prospect for Broos' senior squad.
Thabiso Kutumela
Free agent Thabiso Kutumela reminded fans and coaches of his natural goal-scoring instincts.
The former Orlando Pirates and Sundowns striker was involved in four goals across his four CHAN appearances, proving his ability to find space and finish clinically. South Africa has long sought reliable forwards, and Kutumela's timing, movement and composure in the box could earn him a recall if he maintains form and fitness for future national team call-ups.
Neo Maema
At 29-years old, Maema captained Bafana with authority and played with distinction, despite recently being deemed surplus at Sundowns.
The midfielder's vision, creativity and ability to dictate play stood out in East Africa, providing stability and inspiration to his teammates. Comfortable in tight spaces and decisive in transition, Maema's combination of experience and flair makes him a rare asset. Broos could view him as a familiar, reliable option to reinforce the national squad.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo
Energetic and fearless, 30-year old Ndlondlo was a standout performer throughout the tournament. Named Player of the Match in the 3-3 draw against Uganda, he repeatedly unsettled opponents with his runs, pressing and ball-winning ability.
A goal worth watching again and again. 💛
Ndlondlo showcases it all with a wonder strike that takes home the @1xBet_Eng #GoalOfTheDay. 💥
Purchase your #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024 tickets here 👉 https://t.co/awXbLaBpH9 pic.twitter.com/J4vNp2bD8d — CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) August 18, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Mngqithi urges Golden Arrows to rediscover pre-season scoring touch
Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi urges his side to rediscover their pre-season scoring form after a 1-1 draw with Durban City. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Golden Arrows head coach Manqoba Mngqithi says he wants to see his team produce more goal-scoring performances like they did in pre-season. With his back against the wall, Mngqithi was speaking to the media after Arrows' 1-1 draw with Durban City on Tuesday night at Chatsworth Stadium. The 54-year-old said he was happy with the team's character but less so with their football. He suggested that while the squad has no shortage of potential, poor decision-making in matches remains a concern. 'Dribbling the ball but ending up giving it away is not something I want to see as a coach,' Mngqithi said. 'At this point, I'm happy with the character, not so much the football.' Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi addresses the media after their draw with Durban City at Chatsworth stadium. Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi addresses the media after their draw with Durban City at Chatsworth stadium. Image: Jehran Naidoo Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Durban City had the better of the first half, but the Pride of Lamontville came out strongly in the second, with Keenen Phillips making several runs down the right flank. The midfield battle remained tight throughout, drawing praise from both camps. Based on Tuesday night's performance, Mngqithi believes the team is on the right track but insists he wants to see more conversions. 'The structure of the team has improved quite a lot but the plays are sporadic sometimes. Good football actions and combinations but edgy. There's one mistake, then we go back to our old selves, which is normal. We need to build the culture and desire to play uncomfortable football where when you make a mistake you get punished. 'We made such mistakes against Siwelele, so the team is not settled and far away from how we performed during pre-season. I think that the Siwelele game brought a lot of instability but I am very optimistic,' Mngqithi said. Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi addresses the media after their draw with Durban City at Chatsworth stadium. Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi addresses the media after their draw with Durban City at Chatsworth stadium. Image: Jehran Naidoo Arrows opened their PSL campaign with a 3-1 defeat to newcomers Siwelele, a performance riddled with errors that dented confidence. A week later, they bounced back with a 1-0 home win over Richards Bay, showing resilience. But Mngqithi is still calling for more of what he saw before the season began. 'I'm excited about the potential that I'm seeing in the group because there are a lot of boys that have not even had a chance to mature. We don't want to change the team too much because we want to build that chemistry within this group and, as we develop, maybe we start introducing new faces, which is unfair to some. 'But we are saying that we don't want to be harsh with those that started the season. They must try to settle down and give us what we saw in pre-season. Because in pre-season we scored so many goals but now we are struggling to go beyond one goal,' Mngqithi said. Golden Arrows and Durban City players fight for a corner inside the Arrows box on Tuesday night at Chatsworth Stadium. Golden Arrows and Durban City players fight for a corner inside the Arrows box on Tuesday night at Chatsworth Stadium. Image: Jehran Naidoo
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Nasreddine Nabi set to return to lead Kaizer Chiefs against Mamelodi Sundowns
He's back Kaizer Chiefs' assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef has confirmed that Nasreddine Nabi, pictured, will be back in charge of the team before their game against Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: BackpagePix Nasreddine Nabi will be back in the dugout for Kaizer Chiefs' big Betway Premiership clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium next week Wednesday. Nabi has been back home in Tunisia for the last two weeks to be with his wife who was involved in a car accident. In his time away, the club have started the new campaign in impressive fashion and currently sit second in the league after three wins from a many games. While there has been speculation that his time at the club is fast running out, assistant coach Khalil Ben Youssef confirmed Nabi's imminent return, saying: 'Coach Nabi will be with us this week, to prepare for the game against Sundowns,' Last week, Soccer Laduma reported that following a meeting between the club and coach Nabi earlier this month, relations between the two parties have soured.
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Mngqithi reveals the secret behind Sundowns' success
Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has warned his successor at Mamelodi Sundowns Miguel Cardoso that the title race won't be easy this season, saying more teams, including his Arrows, are gunning for the Brazilians. Arrows face provincial foes Durban City in their third league game of the campaign at Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday (7.30pm). Abafana Bes'thende are high in morale after beating another KZN rivals, Richards Bay, at King Zwelithini Stadium last Wednesday, bouncing back after losing their league opener 3-1 away to Siwelele four days earlier. 'Cardoso must know it's not going to be easy for him because all these teams are gunning for him, including myself,' Mngqithi said. The Arrows mentor, who spent 10 years at Sundowns, where he started as Pitso Mosimane's assistant coach, also poured his heart out, narrating what gives Sundowns an edge over other teams, as they've won the past eight editions of the championship. 'It's difficult for other teams to compete at the level of Sundowns; these five substitutions are a challenge for any other team in the league because if you go to Pirates and say you want them to make five substitutions, are you guaranteed the same quality?' Mngqithi asked.
