Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has praised Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa for showing his true qualities this season.
Makgopa made it to the final Bafana Bafana squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan thanks to his recent impressive form for Pirates, where he has scored six goals in all competitions.
The striker started the season behind team-mate Tshegofatso Mabasa in the pecking order at Pirates but has since been starting ahead of the latter in their last four league games and was the match winner on Tuesday as he scored in their 1-0 victory over Richards Bay.
Makgopa lauded for maintaining consistency
Broos is delighted with what he is seeing from the striker and is happy to have him in the team as he feels he has different qualities that will be beneficial to Bafana Bafana.
“I like Evidence. I like him since I am here,” Broos told the media on Thursday as per Soccer Laduma.
“He is a guy with potential and everybody was surprised when he went with us to AFCON and they were more surprised that he played. But I think when you look at the performances of Evidence that we can only be happy.
Will the Pirates striker get back into the starting XI?
“It’s not a fantastic big player but he is also useful for the team and I see it now in Pirates. He is so useful for the team and he starts scoring also.
“So, he is confident he is the type of player we don’t have. He is good with the head, I like him. When the opportunity is there, Evidence will always be with us.”
Makgopa will be involved in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers for the first time, having last played for Bafana Bafana at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he started all seven matches as South Africa finished third.
