Kaizer Chiefs defender Thabo Moloisane has acknowledged the fierce competition for places at centre-back in the national team, while insisting he is determined to work his way back into the Bafana Bafana set-up.
South Africa’s defensive department has undergone a remarkable transformation in a short space of time, with a growing pool of young, talented central defenders now putting their hands up for national selection.
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At the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Bafana Bafana relied on a group that included Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Siyabonga Ngezana, Khulumani Ndamane and Tylon Smith.
By the time the 2026 FIFA World Cup arrived, new names had emerged in the form of Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya, further deepening the options available to the coaching staff.
The list does not end there. Rushwin Dortley, Malibongwe Khoza, Lebone Seema and Aden McCarthy are all in the mix as well, each hoping to catch the eye with consistent performances at club level.
Moloisane, who is among those looking to break back into contention, knows just how crowded the field has become.
The Chiefs defender revealed that the subject had come up in a recent conversation with his Amakhosi teammate Mduduzi Shabalala.
“I was talking to Mdu last week, the competition is strong, the pecking order is very long, but credit to the guys, they are doing well, and for me it’s just to continue working hard, you know,” Moloisane said.
Rather than being discouraged by the depth of talent ahead of and around him, the 29-year-old is focused on controlling what he can: his own performances.
Putting a difficult season behind him
Moloisane was candid about the challenges he faced last term, but believes he has turned a corner.
“I had a bit of a difficult season last season, but I’m happy to be starting now and feeling like myself again, and I’m sure as I continue working hard, I can get back into that set-up, who wouldn’t want to be in the set-up anyways.”
Regular game time has clearly played a part in his improved mindset, and a consistent run in the Chiefs starting line-up could prove to be his strongest argument for national team consideration.
A new generation of centre-backs
Beyond his own ambitions, Moloisane sees the broader picture as a positive one for South African football. He pointed to a notable shift in the profile of the country’s central defenders, with younger players now trusted in a position once dominated by seasoned veterans.
“The future is bright, we’re all playing for good teams, working hard, and the league has changed, many teams before, the centre-backs used to be older guys. The system has changed now; we have to embrace it and keep working hard.”
His comments reflect a changing culture in the domestic game, where clubs are increasingly willing to hand responsibility to young defenders, and where that investment is now feeding directly into the national team pipeline.
The road ahead
With so many quality options available, Bafana Bafana’s selectors are spoilt for choice, and every league match offers a chance for those on the fringes to make their case.
For Moloisane, the message is simple: keep his head down, keep working, and let his performances do the talking.
As the competition for a place in Bafana’s backline continues to intensify, the real winner may well be the national team itself.