South Africa vs Egypt: Why did Hugo Broos overlook in form Kaizer Chiefs players for AFCON?

Kaizer Chiefs have had a relatively good Premier Soccer League start in the 2025/26 season.

They are currently just four points behind Orlando Pirates who have been in a class of their own, domestically, in the ongoing campaign. Brandon Petersen, Thabiso Monyane and Mduduzi Shabalala could have easily made South Africa’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), but the closest the club came is having a player, Shabalala, on the standby list.

The Glamour Boys legend Josta Dladla believes Amakhosi players will have to dig deeper if they are to be considered in future assignments.

In his interview with Lemii LoCo, Chiefs have talentd players but they are young and need some time to mature before getting recognition by the Bafana Bafana technical team.

Explained: Why Chiefs haven’t produced a player for AFCON

“Let’s be honest, I love Kaizer Chiefs. I love the players too. But as it is, Chiefs have not been doing that well. Yes, they are doing better this season, but I don’t see any Chiefs player stepping into the national team and starting, playing,” Dladla stated.

“We have to start putting the emotions aside and be honest with ourselves. There is no Chiefs player now that deserves to be in the national team. I know they called up Shabalala as a standby player… if somebody gets injured, he will be called.

“But if he was part of the squad, he was not even going to play. I think it is just for experience. So for the next AFCON, he will be familiar with the event and its level. Most of the boys are still young, they still have time.

“Also Chiefs are still in the rebuilding phase right now. We have to wait for Chiefs. We can see they are getting better.

“Rebuilding a team takes time. I think they are in the right space right now because there are a lot of young ones. If these boys really want to learn and grow, it is up to them,” the 46-year-old Dladla concluded.

After beating Angola 2-1 on Monday, Bafana Bafana are set to face Egypt on Friday hoping for nothing but mazimum points.