Manchester United's McCarthy explains how Afcon has raised PSL profile - 'People are asking about our players'

Coach Hugo Broos had just three foreign-based players - Al Ahly's Percy Tau, Sphephelo Sithole who plays for Portuguese second-tier outfit Tondela, and Mihlali Mayambela of Cypriot club Aris Limassol, in his squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, Bafana surprised many people by reaching the semi-final and ending the biennial competition with a Bronze.

Their display left a good impression not only in the continent as explained by the Red Devils strikers' coach McCarthy.

"Yes, it [Afcon achievement] was really nice and it put a big smile on my face," the Bafana Bafana legend said as quoted by iDiski Times.

"Because yeah, people are asking about our players and our league, like, 'Where do these guys play? Because wow! I saw they have skills and they are really good and quick and this and that' and I said 'Yeh, they all played in the South African league'.

"So it’s nice that you can say that, not just 'Ah! He plays in Europe, he plays in Europe', where people think that’s normal," he continued.

"But they all play in South Africa, and the fact that we’ve done what we’ve done so yeah, so happy to speak about the rising of our players’ profiles and our national team, with people over here. So that’s been good."

Some players like Teboho Mokoena, who made Afcon's best XI alongside goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, have been linked with a move abroad.

Others, like Orlando Pirates attacker Evidence Makgopa, have been tipped to hit even greater heights soon.

Bafana Bafana will play their next competitive game on June 3 when they play Nigeria away in the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

South Africa will be aiming to avenge the Afcon semi-final loss against the Super Eagles and increase their chances of playing in the global competition for the first time since 2010.