Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos is confident Thapelo Maseko can bring the desired impact to the squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Maseko, 22, comes into the setup as a replacement for the injured Mohau Nkota, and Broos was eager to highlight just how much the young winger has grown since his earlier struggles since bursting onto the scene as a teenager with the now-defunct SuperSport United.
“First of all, Maseko is doing very well in Cyprus, so he was already with us before — in that period he was a guy every two weeks injured, he suffered a lot of injuries,” Broos said.
The move to Mamelodi Sundowns was initially positive as he won the Player of the Tournament in their triumphant African Football League campaign but it turned into a frustrating chapter for a player of obvious potential.
Recurring injuries and lack of minutes robbed him of consistency and continuity at international level, making it difficult for Broos to rely on him during crucial qualifying campaigns.
The Turning Point
But the loan to Cyprus with AEL Limassol appears to have been the turning point the youngster needed.
“Now he plays nearly the whole season with his team in Cyprus, he played well, at a good level, so we called him in March,” Broos explained.
That March call-up proved to be more than just a courtesy recall. Maseko seized his opportunity and left a lasting impression on the Bafana coaching staff, ultimately cementing his place in the World Cup squad.
The speedy winger featured in 15 out of a possible 19 games for the Cypriot club, with two goals and an assist, and they are now said to be engaging in talks with Sundowns over a potential permanent switch.
“I was very happy with what I saw from him, it’s also the reason why he is with us,” the Belgian coach concluded.
Maseko has been capped seven times for Bafana, with his only goal coming in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, in a 4-0 win over Namibia in the group stage, en route to winning bronze in Ivory Coast.
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