Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has revealed he would’ve loved to see Orlando Pirates hitman Tshegofatso Mabasa in the current squad of Hugo Broos, but also explained why he thinks the Belgian tactician left him out.
Since returning to the Buccaneers from Moroka Swallows in January, Mabasa, 27, has experienced a great career revival.
The striker has already scored one goal in five games in 2024/25 after winning the Golden Boot last season. Although Khumalo says he’d have loved the Bucs forward at Bafana, he feels his style might not fit in Broos’ philosophy 100%.
One of the few strikers to have started five games in 2024/25, scoring once, after winning the Golden Boot last season. While Khumalo says he would have loved the Bucs forward at Bafana, the type of striker he is might not fit in Broos' philosophy 100%.
"When you look at the strikers he rotates, I'm surprised that [Khanyisa] Mayo isn't there, and [Bongokuhle] Hlongwane who is doing well overseas.
But as I said, the coach will have to choose players who suit the system he wants to employ.
He cannot sacrifice his philosophy for an individual. Among all the players he has called, Mabasa is a link, he is a reference, he is the one who can bulldoze centrally.
Percy and Makgopa are not outright strikers, they are mobile, they go left and right, sometimes they drop in the middle.
"With Mabasa, you only feed, you play through him. In my opinion, Mabasa's style of play is not what the coach wants."
In their second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Bafana will face South Sudan on Tuesday.
