‘He reminds me of Nkatha’ – Khune highlights Makgopa’s strengths that aren’t appreciated

Kaizer Chiefs legend Itumeleng Khune has drawn comparisons between Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa and a former Amakhosi striker.

Makgopa divides opinion at Pirates as there are those who admire him while his critics claim he does not score enough despite coming up with some key goals during his time at the club.

The Pirates striker had been behind Tshegofatso Mabasa in the pecking order last season but tables have changed under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou where Makgopa is now ahead of the former and he has weighed in five goals and four assists.

Khune defends Pirates striker

Makgopa has also won back his Bafana Bafana spot and is among the 25 players headed to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations although there are still fans who feel others should have been picked ahead of him.

However, Khune believes Makgopa’s critics do not appreciate what he brings to the table and only judge him on goals when he in fact adds much more both at club and national team level, comparing him to a former Kaizer Chiefs striker who equally divided opinion.

“Do you know who he [Makgopa] reminds me of? Kingston Nkatha,” said Khune on SABC while highlighting Makgopa’s strengths.

What makes Makgopa stand out?

“Kaizer Chiefs fans used to be on his back. They don’t know how much and how important he was to us. He used to make defenders tired, make those runs.

“I used to give him those balls behind the defence, make them run and in the 60th minute they substitute him and put in [Lehlohonolo] Majoro.

“Majoro comes in and he taps in. So, he creates space and makes it simple, with those runs he takes two away, he creates space for the person coming so that was Kingston’s role and that’s Makgopa’s role as we speak,” added the ex-Chiefs and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper.

Makgopa was a surprise inclusion in coach Hugo Broos’ AFCON 2023 squad and became South Africa’s first-choice striker at the tournament. He would lose his place in the team after the tournament but he was back in the fold in recent matches, just in time for AFCON 2025.