Broos urged to follow Yaya example with USA-based striker

After unearthing Sphephelo Sithole from the Second Division in Portugal, Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has been urged to look into a South African striker plying his trade in America.

Sithole has never played in his home country, after leaving KZN Academy to join up with Sporting U19s.

'Yaya' could not yet reach the topflight of Portugal with any team but caught the eye of Broos playing for second-tier outfit Tondela.

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To his credit, the bulky player impressed in the Bafana shirt and has been a permanent feature in the Belgian's line-ups.

After being linked with bigger European teams, Sithole was eventually signed by Liga Portugal outfit Gil Vecente on loan in the current transfer window.

A South African coach, based in the United States of America, Kyle Timm, believes another Mzansi talent, who is turning out for a club in the USL Championship (second tier) has the potential to become great if given a chance in national colours.

"Yazeed Matthews, he plays for Detroit City in the USL Championship. He's been playing in the USL Championship for four seasons. Very good striker," Timm tells KickOff.

"What he has to offer, we lack strikers in South Africa, he can easily be up there with one of the best in South Africa.

"I mean, he's a strong boy, he's got good speed, he can finish. It's unfortunate he has not got the chance to play in the MLS. If he had been in the MLS, he would have got a call-up to the national team," he added.

South African players playing in USA, even in the Major League Soccer (MLS), have been overlooked for Bafana selections in recent times.

The likes of Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Cassius Mailula and Njabulo Blom have been dropped from the national team since switching to Minnesota United, Toronto and St Louis City respectively.

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Former Stellenbosch FC defender Olwethu Makhanya has also not had a look-in after he was signed by Philadelphia Union. 

There is also the case for Tsiki Ntsabeleng, who is yet to be called up to Bafana despite playing for MLS outfit FC Dallas.

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