Bafana Bafana legend Doctor Khumalo has called for more credit to be given to head coach Hugo Broos over the rise of Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa.
Makgopa was part of the Bafana squad that secured a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast and scored the opener when South Africa knocked out Morocco in the last 16.
READ | 'I know we want goals but…' Bafana legend's verdict on Makgopa
In the absence of Lyle Foster and Lebo Mothiba, Makgopa was tasked with leading Bafana's attacking line for the first time in a major continental competition, with Zakhele Lepasa as cover.
Broos' faith in the former PSL Young Player of the Season was met with scrutiny as Makgopa had scored just three occasion for his club.
However, the Belgian mentor persevered and Khumalo believes some credit is due to the man who picked Makgopa for Bafana in June 2021 and the striker went on to score a debut brace in a 3-2 win against Uganda.
"I'm glad that Hugo brought in the likes of Makgopa because let's all be honest, when Magkopa played in the Olympics he was the first player to be selected [for Broos] to say I want to grow this player," Khumalo said at PSL Lifestyle shortly after Bafana's third-place victory over DR Congo.
"There's something that's South Africans don't know, he (Broos) gave the team that Makgopa was playing for a programme in order for Makgopa to be developed into a better striker but that programme was thrown away and Broos was so disappointed.
"So, we also we need to also to look at ourselves as South Africa to say 'are we helping him in order for him to achieve his goals?'
"So, here is Makgopa, irrespective of whatever anyone wants to say, but based on what I observed, I can see a bit of Phil Masinga but also mobility and in individual brilliance.
"It's just a matter of time for him to grow as a youngster and as a player because if you don't play, you're not going to grow. The game is the teacher.
"So I just want to say thanks to him because people wouldn't have known who Makgopa is."
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Meanwhile, the 23-year-old is back on club duties as Orlando Pirates prepare to begin the defence of their Nedbank Cup title on Saturday at Mbombela Stadium.
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