Here's a look at five breakout Bafana Bafana stars who shone at this year's Africa Cup of Nations with potential transfer suitors circling.
Bafana Bafana exceeded expectations to finish third at the 2023 AFCON while lasting the entire duration of the continental showpiece.
Hugo Broos’s side produced eye-catching displays that included an impressive victory over the highest-ranked African side in Morocco.
Bafana’s excellent team performances were categorised by some exceptional individual performances. Of those standout performers, captain Ronwen Williams was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament while being included in the Team of the Tournament alongside midfielder Teboho Mokoena.
Bafana’s AFCON success could now spark an influx of transfer interest from overseas-based teams.
Here we look at FIVE players who shone at AFCON 2023:
Teboho Mokoena
The highest-rated midfielder in the Sofascore Team of the Tournament, Mokoena enjoyed an exceptional campaign as a midfield anchor.
Displaying an exceptional range of passing alongside standout moments – such as his contender for the goal of the tournament – Mokoena’s stock has risen on the continent’s biggest stage. Numerous clubs such as AS Monaco, Bournemouth and Al Ahly are rumoured to be showing an interest in the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder who may be the breakout star of the tournament.
Ronwen Williams
Named as the Sofascore Player of the Tournament, it has been a record-setting AFCON 2023 for the Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper.
Williams became the first goalkeeper to save an astonishing four penalty kicks in an AFCON tournament. Before going on to save two more crucial penalties to secure a third-place finish for his side against DR Congo. Although at 32 years old, age may not be on his side, Williams’ stock has certainly risen.
Khuliso Mudau
Again, age may be a mitigating factor for potential suitors showing interest in the 28-year-old defender. Mudau could feel hard done by to miss out on the Team of the Tournament to Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi. The Sundowns defender uses his exceptional pace to nullify attackers down the flanks and was one agonising kick away from sending Bafana to the AFCON final.
Sphephelo Sithole
The 24-year-old midfielder has emerged from being a potential star to the breakout player for Bafana Bafana. Having started all the matches at this year’s AFCON, the lanky midfielder possesses excellent all-round athleticism with his height an asset in both boxes for Hugo Broos’s side. Playing in the second tier in Portugal, a transfer to a stronger league may be on the cards.
Evidence Makgopa
If not attracting attention from other clubs, Makgopa has at the very least displayed that he can be an effective striker. With his frame, the Orlando Pirates striker was invaluable for Bafana Bafana with Hugo Broos’s other attacking options all diminutive in size, which explains his regular inclusion at AFCON 2023. Displaying the ability to bring his teammates into attacks and an eye for goal, at just 23 years old Makgopa could develop into a lethal attacker.
🌍 | Team of the Tournament
— Sofascore (@SofascoreINT) February 12, 2024
Our highest-rated XI from #AFCON2023 is here! 🤩
Each of the top three sides at the tournament are represented by two players in here, as eight nations in total see their players featured in this team. 🇿🇦🇲🇦🇨🇻🇳🇬🇨🇩🇨🇮🇬🇳🇦🇴 pic.twitter.com/oPv14ZZTxv
