Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo 'Yaya' Sithole has been pointed out as the biggest beneficiary from the AFCON finals.
Sithole has played from start to finish in all but just two of the six games for Bafana at the AFCON.
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The 24-year-old played with command in central midfield protecting the back four with authority while allowing Teboho Mokoena to thrive in spaces in front of him.
Surprising for those who only took notice of him at this tournament is that he is only playing in the second division in Portugal for Tondela.
"The tournament has done him all the good he needed in his career.
"From now on, it will be easy for him to move on from the second division in Portugal where the earnings hover around R150 000 at best.
"The second division in Portugal is good football wise but has way too many limitations in money related matters.
"While he could be playing in Europe, he is in the bottom half of top earners in that Bafana squad.
"He will benefit from now onwards and is the biggest beneficiary from the AFCON," says a Portuguese based contact.
Sithole has never played professional football back home having left for Europe as a teenager after playing for the KZN Academy.
Through his time in Portugal, he has played for Sporting's Under-19 before moving out to Vitoria de Setubal reserve team after which he spent four years with B-SAD.
With B-SAD, he played for the reserve team before breaking into the first team and getting to play in the Primeira Liga for two years before the club went down to the second tier.
Then after playing for a season in the second tier, Sithole moved to Tondela at the beginning of this season.
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Minus Sithole while he does duty at AFCON, Tondela have won one and drawn four and will welcome his return for the visit to Mafra next week.
Sithole was previously linked with Sporting Braga during his time at B-SAD.
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