A former teammate of Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele believes his achievement should be celebrated as it will open doors for forgotten former players.
Most ex-Bafana Bafana stars often complain of being neglected by the organisation that they served, the South African Football Association.
But Edward Motale who played with Mkhalele both in the national team and at Orlando Pirates feels the 3-2 victory over Uganda in the international friendly proved their generation can add something to Bafana.
"I was excited," Motale tells snl24.com/kickoff in reference to the win at Orlando Stadium on Friday. "It shows and it's paving a way that people they mustn't doubt us. Because us [as] legends, they are doubting us.
"So at least Helman he's gonna pave a way for us. I mean he was solely left by himself there. I think even the coach can see he's got the right person to work with.
"Helman the players they can understand him more because he relates quickly to them language-wise and everything. I think that's what made it simple for him yesterday."
Motale admits he never saw Mkhalele becoming a coach, never mind to the level of the senior national team where he serves as the local assistant to Hugo Broos.
"I never thought he could go that route," he added. "But it's good he's doing well, not only for himself but also for us as legends and also upcoming local coaches."
'Midnight express' stood in for new head coach Broos who is currently in Belgium for his second Covid-19 vaccination.