Six players who put themselves up for more caps from Broos’ young Bafana squad

There were a lot of things that were not done to sustain the success that Bafana Bafana enjoyed almost 30 years ago when they surprised all by winning the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on home soil at their first attempt at a final.

The late Clive Barker's team won the Afcon, beating Tunisia 2-0 on February 3 1996 at FNB Stadium. It was assumed that after that triumph, the sky would be the limit for Bafana. Though South Africa remained a powerhouse at least for four to six years after that triumph, from 2003 it was all downhill, with the team struggling to qualify for major tournaments.

Fast forward to present day and Hugo Broos — the longest-serving Bafana coach, overtaking Barker, at four years and a month. Broos has revived Bafana's fortunes over two decades later. The 72-year-old Belgian won bronze with Bafana at last year's Afcon in Ivory Coast and has qualified for the next tournament. He is on the verge of becoming the first coach to steer Bafana to the Fifa World Cup, other than as hosts, since 2002.

But the most precious aspect Broos might leave South Africa with when his contract runs out in July 2026 after the World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the US, will be the new and young generation of players that will take over from the coach's present senior team.

Broos demonstrated this in the past two friendlies Bafana played in Polokwane against Tanzania on Friday (0-0) and Mozambique on Tuesday (2-0). The coach selected an almost entirely new squad based on current club form and most of the new faces impressed.

Most of these players are young and might have success with Bafana if they are given more opportunities to show their talents on the international stage. They will surely give Broos a great headache when he selects his next team for the resumption of the World Cup qualification in September.

The coach said so himself, stressing he will have problems leaving some of this month's newbies out because of how much they had impressed him. Not a lot of them will actually now become regulars at Bafana, but you get a sense that after the Afcon in Morocco in December and January, they will be hard to ignore not just because of their talent, but because age is on their side.

Here are six players who put themselves forward for call-ups to Bafana again soon from Broos' developmental squad:

Mohau Nkota (20)

The Orlando Pirates winger was a revelation in both Bafana's latest matches — as a substitute against Tanzania and starting against Mozambique. He showed Broos he deserves more call-ups, justifying his selection by being the most attacking player on the field and the one taking the most shots on target. Nkota provided two assists in the win against Mozambique, showing how good a team player he is. He's one that will give Broos sleepless nights when he has to make his choices for the next Bafana squad.

Sinoxolo Kwayiba (25)

The Chippa United striker, bound for Pirates next season, is a slow poison in the box. While he has to improve his sharpness in front of goal, he showed against Mozambique how vital he can be with his height being the biggest advantage when he opened the score for Bafana from Nkota's corner. There's a lot Broos still needs to teach him, but Kwayiba can certainly add vital variety to Bafana's attack.

Ashley Cupido (24)

Within minutes of his entry in Tuesday's win over Mozambique, Cupido scored a wonder goal after receiving a good pass from Nkota. His work rate upfront and shot accuracy is impressive. The Stellenbosch FC lad is a dream striker for any coach because he can vary his game with his ability to stay inside the area and also fetch the ball if the situation demands. That he was one of the players who played the most minutes over the two games shows how impossible it will be to ignore him.

Simphiwe Selepe (20)

What a dynamic central midfielder this young Selepe is. Another of Pirates' impressive array of youth products earning first team football at his club, his ability to fetch and carry and provide key passes to attackers will accelerate his chances of being a regular for Bafana. The way he commanded the game against Tanzania you wouldn't believe he was making his debut. That he did that having just played a handful of games for Bucs shows how blessed he is with talent. He's a definite future player for Bafana, long after Broos's departure.

Khulumani Ndamane (21)

South Africa is not blessed with too many left-footed centre backs, but the TS Galaxy player is one such young gem. That he earned a man-of-the-match award in his first match against Tanzania is a sign of many good things to come for him. His calmness and ball distribution were impressive for a player who is easy to ignore as he plays for one of the less glamorous clubs.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi (19)

The youngest of all the players Broos called for the two friendlies, Pirates' blossoming centreback star Mbokazi's steely defending means Bafana have two young left-footed central defenders they will enjoy having for a long time. Mbokazi's fearless approach to the game and ability to read where the last dangerous ball could land will always be vital for the national team. He's a natural defender who doesn't need a lot of coaching as he's already proven himself at the Buccaneers. Broos will be spoiled for choice.