With Nkosingiphile Ngcobo seemingly making slow progress at Kaizer Chiefs, a legend of the club has expressed concern about the attacking midfielder's situation.
The 25-year-old has shown promise of reaching his full potential since his promotion from the Chiefs development team to the senior side in August 2017.
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Ngcobo scored in the side's 2-0 victory over Golden Arrows in the Home of Legends Cup on Saturday, raising hopes yet again about what he can deliver for the rest of the season under Nasreddine Nabi.
"I think he needs to pull up his socks if he wants to find himself in the national team. He is at the right age to compete for a place, and he should be playing for Bafana by now," Muchichwa told KickOff.com.
"So, for me, yes, he needs to step up, otherwise more youngsters will come in and overtake him.
"I believe the boy was judged too early, and now reality is setting in. This is the moment we need to see the real Ngcobo.
"Looking at how Ngcobo started strongly in his first two seasons, I am now unsure if the current hot PSL youngsters will be able to sustain their form, and how long they will maintain it.
"This is the problem we face with youngsters today, most of them become one-season wonders, and in their second season, they are nowhere to be found," says the man nicknamed 'Mashamplan' during his salad days.
Muchichwa adds that today's youngsters need to learn how to maintain their form.
"Ngcobo also had a strong start when he was promoted to the first team, but he has struggled to keep that momentum.
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"He's been at Chiefs for too long to be sitting on the bench, and it isn't looking good for him. Perhaps the team's poor performance is affecting his game, but still, when you are given an opportunity at a club like Chiefs, you have to make the most of it.
"At his age, he can still bounce back this season, and with the right guidance, he can be directed in the right direction."