Bafana Bafana winger Thapelo Maseko has revelled in scoring his first senior international goal and reflected on his ascent from the DStv Diski Challenge to the Africa Cup of Nations within his meteoric rise.
Maseko, 21, is the youngest member of the 23-man Bafana Bafana squad in Ivory Coast and started the opening Group E game in the 2-0 defeat against Mali.
He was dropped to the bench in a tactical switch by head coach Hugo Broos but managed to score his first goal for the country as a late substitute to add a fourth goal on the night against Namibia.
“It feels great, it feels wonderful, it’s a wonderful feeling and I hope for many more and we hope for many more victories,” Maseko told iDiski Times.
“We were hoping to [many] goals because obviously we didn’t score in the first game, so we went more direct and score as many as we could because of the goal difference.”
Having made his professional debut for SuperSport United back in 2022 and establishing himself as one of the most exciting talents in local football via the reserve league, Sundowns came calling after his first full season at Matsatsansa.
He was still living in the development clubhouse prior to his move to Chloorkop and deservedly won the Young Player of the Season at the Tshwane-based outfit.
And in his first half of the season at Masandawana, he’s become a key figure already, winning the Player of the Tournament in their triumphant African Football League campaign at the league leaders.
“Yeah it’s very tough [the rise from DDC to AFCON], but I’m trying to adjust, I’m trying my best to adjust – and it’s a top tournament, top facilities, and everything of it is high level,” he stated before opening up on the final Group E game which will be a decisive fixture in the content of the last-16.
“It’s a highly anticipated game against Tunisia [next] and we’ll go all out to show what we can do for South Africans and to [show] the world.”
South Africa will now turn their attention to the Carthage Eagles – who they face on Wednesday evening at Le Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
