Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo picks Mamelodi Sundowns star as the most 'instrumental player in terms of directing traffic' in Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana side

After claiming bronze at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals, Bafana Bafana have been making steps in reinventing themselves as a continental football powerhouse.

They are now on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament to be hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Doctor Khumalo has identified the player he believes is the chief driver of the current Bafana crop, which is fighting to be considered as one of the best generations of South African players.

"Now, in the current crop, it’s not about player capacity or capability," Khumalo said as per KickOff.  
"I think it’s about having that individual who will carry the team. At the moment, I’m looking at a player like Teboho Mokoena. You have Teboho Mokoena; you have the core of the national team.
"I’m not saying he’s the only good player, but he’s the instrumental player in terms of directing traffic. "He’s that kind of player when we build up, he’s always there when we go forward, he’s there," added the Bafana legend.
"So Teboho, at the moment, I would like to believe that he is the core in terms of the Bafana Bafana set-up."

Having received Khumalo's rave reviews, Mokoena could spark debate about whether or not he is the best central midfielder to ever don the Bafana jersey.

For someone who has participated in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with Mamelodi Sundowns, won an Afcon bronze medal, played in the CAF Champions League final, plus won Premier Soccer League titles with Sundowns, Mokoena has gained much experience at  28.

There is also the 2025 Afcon finals coming in December, where the Masandawana star has a stage waiting for him to shine. 

But playing at the World Cup would arguably be the biggest highlight of his career, and a top performance there would support his case in becoming the best Bafana central midfielder of all time.

Bafana are now entering the final push in their bid to qualify for the World Cup with matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda in October.

It is a test of character for Hugo Broos' players, like Mokoena, to show their experience.