Doctor Khumalo Calls For Mabasa’s Inclusion In Bafana Bafana Squad
- Former Kaizer Chiefs star Doctor Khumalo urges the inclusion of Orlando Pirates sensation Tshegofatso Mabasa in the Bafana Bafana lineup
- Khumalo insists the Buccaneers striker would bring a much-needed spark to Hugo Broos' team
- Bafana Bafana faces growing criticism after a lackluster performance against Uganda in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers
Let me tell you something, folks. Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has stepped up and named Orlando Pirates star Tshegofatso Mabasa as the player he believes should absolutely be in the Bafana Bafana squad under head coach Hugo Broos. Mabasa, who won the Golden Boot last season in the Premier Soccer League, hasn’t been given a chance by the Belgian tactician despite his undeniable talent and consistency on the field. Khumalo is making a strong case for why this needs to change.
Broos has opted for players like Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, and Evidence Makgopa instead of calling up the 27-year-old striker. Many fans are scratching their heads over this decision, wondering why such a proven goal-scorer isn’t even getting a look-in. It’s a conversation that’s heating up, and Khumalo is adding fuel to the fire.
Why Khumalo Thinks Mabasa Belongs in Bafana Bafana
In a recent interview with DNA Podcast, Khumalo opened up about his observations regarding the current state of the South African national team under Broos. He emphasized that Mabasa is exactly the kind of player who should be given a shot, especially since he’s been tearing it up for his club. “He’s on top of his game,” Khumalo said, “and I would’ve loved to see him being part of the national team.”
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Khumalo went on to stress that the message we constantly send to players is to perform well at their clubs to earn a spot on the national team. Yet, here’s Mabasa, one of the most prolific strikers in the league, being overlooked. “These boys go out there and deliver results,” Khumalo pointed out. “We always tell them, ‘Do well in your club, and you’ll get noticed.’ But when you look at Mabasa, he’s doing everything right, yet he’s not getting the call.”
“He’s on top of his game and I would’ve loved to see him being part of the national team,” the former South African international said.
“Because these boys go out and give us results at the end of the day, we always tell them ‘do well in your club for you to be selected in the national team.’ But here we have Mabasa, who has not been selected for the national team.”
While Khumalo passionately advocates for Mabasa’s inclusion, he also acknowledges that the final decision rests with the coach. Broos has his own philosophy and vision, and he chooses players who align with that. “The coach will have to choose players that he strongly believes will suit the system he wants to play,” Khumalo explained. “He can’t sacrifice his philosophy for any individual. That said, Mabasa could be a game-changer—a player who can break through defenses and create opportunities centrally.”
“But like I said, the coach will have to choose players that he strongly believes will suit the system he wants to play,” Khumalo added.
“Because he cannot sacrifice his philosophy for an individual for that matter. From all the players he’s called, Mabasa is a link, a reference, and the one that can bulldoze centrally.”
Broos’ Stance on Mabasa’s Absence
In a previous statement reported by Briefly News, Broos made it clear that there’s currently no room in the Bafana Bafana squad for Mabasa. Despite finishing as the PSL’s top goalscorer last season, the Belgian coach argued that Mabasa’s style is too similar to that of Rayners and Foster, two forwards already in the team. This reasoning has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike, leaving many to question whether Broos is missing an opportunity to strengthen the squad.
As the national team continues its journey toward the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, the debate over player selection will undoubtedly remain a hot topic. Whether Broos ultimately decides to give Mabasa a chance remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: Doctor Khumalo isn’t backing down without a fight.
