Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa returns to Bafana Bafana determined to impress Hugo Broos - ‘You don’t want to disappoint such a person who has faith in you’

Orlando Pirates’ forward Evidence Makgopa has received a call-up from Coach Hugo Broos to join Bafana Bafana as they face Uganda and South Sudan in the final two qualifiers for Afcon 2025.

This is Makgopa’s first appearance for the national team since the 2023 Afcon finals, where South Africa clinched a bronze medal after a 3rd/4th place playoff victory in the Ivory Coast.

Since recovering from injury, Makgopa has featured in 13 matches across all competitions, notching up six goals—a testament to his perseverance and hunger to reclaim his place in the national squad.

“I knew it was going to be tough. Whenever you have an injury, it’s tough; it can affect you mentally, but you have to be strong," Makgopa said, as reported by Soccer Laduma.

"I am glad that I had a place to start on the bench when I came back because it’s tough to be on the bench at my team, truly speaking. I can say I am fortunate I managed to come back.

"I knew that if I could play, maybe I could make my way back to Bafana. It’s good to be back in the team,”

For Makgopa, this opportunity is more than just a return to the national fold; it’s a chance to win over Broos completely.

With the faith Broos has shown in selecting him for these crucial qualifiers, the Pirates man understands the weight of expectation.

His goal is clear: to seize this moment, repay the trust the coach has invested in him, and prove he’s a reliable choice for future Afcon campaigns.

A strong performance against Uganda and South Sudan could cement his place as a leading striker for Bafana, while also helping to drive South Africa closer to Morocco 2025.

Makgopa and his Bafana teammates now face two decisive encounters: a challenging away match against Uganda, followed by a home game against South Sudan. Victory in these matches is crucial to secure South Africa’s spot in the Afcon tournament next year.