Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star credits Bafana Bafana World Cup qualifying wins over Lesotho and Benin to Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns - 'I think they’ve helped Hugo Broos to achieve his goal'

Former Kaizer Chiefs forward Junior Khanye has said Premier Soccer League (PSL) rivals Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns should be credited for helping coach Hugo Broos achieve what he has with Bafana Bafana.

Sundowns and Pirates have been contributing a huge number of players to the national side, and it was the same case for the squad that played against Lesotho and Benin.

Bafana won against both countries to consolidate their position at the top of the group, incredibly boosting their chances to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

To Khanye, the presence of Bucs and Sundowns' players within the Bafana setup has been a big plus for coach Broos.

“When Hugo Broos came to South Africa, he was not playing this way. His philosophy was not this way,” Khanye said.

“He has learned. Thanks to Orlando Pirates, they have helped him by bringing [Nkosinathi] Sibisi. Taking the best out of Sibisi. Also the boy [Relebohile] Mofokeng, [Thalente] Mbatha, Patrick [Maswanganyi]," he added.

“Thanks to Sundowns as well. Both Pirates and Sundowns, I think, have helped the coach to achieve his goal. Both teams have helped the coach in the understanding of the players," Khanye concluded.

In the qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin, Broos named an entire midfield setup that involved players from only Pirates and Sundowns.

Teboho Mokoena, who has found himself inside a suspension saga; Jayden Adams, who scored against Lesotho; and Bathusi Aubaas, together with Thalente Mbatha of Pirates, were the midfielders in the Bafana camp.

Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau, Thapelo Morena, and Iqraam Rayners were the other Sundowns stars in the national side.

Relebohile Mofokeng, who also scored against Lesotho, and Sipho Chaine were plucked from the Bucs.

Aubrey Modiba from Sundowns and Pirates' Patrick Maswanganyi had been selected but were unable to go due to a family issue and an injury, respectively.

South Africa will be in action again in September for more World Cup qualifiers.

They top the group on 13 points, five points ahead of Rwanda and Benin on eight points, with Nigeria a further point behind.

Bafana have four matches left, against Lesotho (A) and Nigeria (H) in September, and then their final matches against Zimbabwe (A) and Rwanda (H) in October.