Evidence Makgopa & Lyle Foster's space in Hugo Broos' squad in danger? Former Pirates midfielder tips Magesi FC striker for Bafana call-up - 'It's just a matter of time'

Experienced coach Larsen is of the opinion that Magesi FC striker Wonderboy Makhubu will soon earn a spot in the Bafana Bafana squad.

The 27-year-old forward has been consistently impressive from the beginning of the season for Dikwena Tsa Meetse.

Larsen recognises Makhubu's limited top-flight experience. However, he is confident that the striker's unique qualities may soon attract the attention of Hugo Broos. 

"Coming to Bafana-Bafana I think it’s just a matter of time. As I said, we’ve played six league games, three cups games, nine games in total and I’ve been around the block a few times and I don’t think I’ve seen a better striker in the teams that we’ve played so far, my honest opinion," Larsen said, as quoted by iDiski Times. 

"I really rate him very, very highly. So I’m sure that after this season, and like I said in the beginning of the season if we create goals for him he’s going to get into double digits and I believe that once that happens, even other teams will start to take note of him.

"With Wonderboy Makhubu like I said, he may not have the experience of a lot of players in the Premier League. I don’t even think he’s played 20 Premier League games, including his last stint in the PSL, but he’s got rare qualities for a striker. He’s one of the hardest-working strikers in the league, " explained the former Bloemfontein Celtic mentor. 

"When you talk about defending from the front, Wonderboy, his name is up there with the best. He put defenders under so much pressure with his selfless pressing action, and he’s always available to receive the ball when the team’s been defending with his running into channels behind the defensive line," he added. 

"And again, I’m going to say outside of Wonderboy the player is Wonderboy the beautiful human being, a clean heart, who comes to training every day with a smile on his face and those are the type of players as coaches, or some of us coaches, we really, really take to because they are such a pleasure to coach. And when success comes their way, you can’t be anything but happy for such people and Wonderboy is one of those." 

Makhubu was a key member of Larsen's team in the NFD last season, having played a significant role in Magesi's promotion to the PSL for the 2024-25 season. 

His form escalated in the PSL as the Gauteng-born talisman has scored two goals in eight matches he has featured across all competitions.

Additionally, the former Baroka FC striker has played a crucial role in Magesi reaching the 2024 Carling Knockout final - where they defeated Orlando Pirates in the process. 

Makhubu will be aiming to carry on his impressive form. It will be intriguing to see whether Broos will include him in the Bafana squad in the near future.

Magesi, currently occupying the 11th position in the PSL standings, will face either Mamelodi Sundowns or Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout final on Saturday, November 23.

South Africa will play against Uganda and South Sudan in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers soon.