Baroka FC chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has expressed his pride at Evidence Makgopa’s rise at Bafana Bafana, saying he has what it takes to emulate the late Phil Masinga.
Makgopa, 23, was one of the key players in Hugo Broos’ tactical setup at the recent Africa Cup of Nations.
Despite scoring just one goal – the all-important 1-0 against Morocco – Makgopa has silenced many critics with his performances at the tournament in Ivory Coast as Bafana claimed theor first medal in 24 years.
The lanky striker came through the ranks at Baroka, where Morgan Mammila scouted him before he made his first-team breakthrough, and Mphahlele insists the best is yet to come.
“You know when you start from humble beginnings, you didn’t expect so much and we just thought they would just like any other normal boys – play, play, and disappear,” he told iDiski Times.
“God got his plans, and we are very much proud, we are excited, we are happy. When I watched Bafana, I just wanted them to give the ball to Makgopa so that he could do what we know he can do – score the goals.
“Because Makgopa is the next Phil Masinga of our South African football.
“The way they run, it looks similar, and they are very good in the air as well. I think Makgopa can even do better locally and internationally because he is improving in each game he plays there.”
