Bafana are not elite yet but the future is bright

Guinea's coach Paulo Duarte made the bold claim that Bafana Bafana, South Africa's national football team, is one of the best three teams in Africa, placing them alongside Senegal and Morocco. However, senior journalist believes Duarte's statement is excessive and compares the team to two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finalists, who are loaded with global superstars.

Nevertheless, there were several positives to observe in Bafana's first game under new coach Pitso Mosimane, as they defeated Guinea 2-1 in their opening Group D qualifier.

One of the most striking aspects of the match was the presence of young talent in the Bafana setup. Players such as Olwethu Makhanya, Ime Okon, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, and Thapelo Maseko, all under the age of 25, demonstrated impressive skills and potential. These young players were given opportunities under the guidance of veteran coach Hugo Broos, who has transformed Bafana's fortunes over the past five years.

The decision to start 22-year-olds Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon in the defense, alongside 21-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who played alongside Thapelo Maseko at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, showcased Broos' commitment to developing homegrown talent. Meanwhile, Oswin Appollis, a winger at 25, showed his worth by linking up seamlessly with his former Pirates teammate. Thapelo Maseko, who scored the match-winning goal against South Korea, continued to impress with his class on this occasion.

Although 22-year-old Samuel Kabini was underused as a substitute, he stepped up to score the crucial winning goal in Orlando. Overall, the performance against Guinea suggests that Bafana Bafana is on an upward trajectory, and the future of the team appears promising under the leadership of Pitso Mosimane.