“I Don’t Focus On Social Media” — Cross On Carrying Chiefs Flag Alone For Bafana
Kaizer Chiefs defender Bradley Cross has opened up about being the club’s sole representative in the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid ongoing criticism on social media over Chiefs’ lack of national team players.
For the past two years, Chiefs supporters have endured constant criticism online, with rival fans repeatedly mocking the Soweto giants for not producing enough Bafana Bafana players.
Since the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where South Africa finished third and secured bronze medals, no Chiefs player had managed to cement a regular place in Hugo Broos’ squad.
Even during Bafana Bafana’s successful FIFA World Cup qualification campaign and preparations for the 2025 AFCON tournament, Amakhosi players continued to be overlooked. Mduduzi Shabalala received a call-up during last year’s World Cup qualifiers, but the talented midfielder ultimately missed out on the AFCON squad.
As Bafana Bafana continued preparations for the global tournament in Mexico, Broos finally announced his official 26-man squad, with Cross emerging as the only Chiefs player selected for the World Cup.
Goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was among the notable omissions despite enjoying an impressive campaign and earning a place in the preliminary squad.
Chiefs defender Thabiso Monyane and in-form midfielder Lebohang Maboe also failed to make the final squad. Maboe enjoyed an outstanding league season, winning five Man of the Match awards — just one fewer than Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng, who topped the standings with six.
Despite the criticism surrounding Chiefs and the jokes circulating on social media about the club’s lack of national team representation, Cross insisted he remains focused only on what he can control.
“Well, look, I don’t really focus too much on social media,” said Cross.
“I’d rather focus on myself and what I can control. Like I said before, I just work hard, put my head down, and keep looking ahead.”
The 25-year-old left-back also revealed that becoming a regular member of the national team has always been one of his biggest ambitions.
“Well, firstly, for me, this has definitely been a long-term goal,” he added.
“I’ve made the preliminary squad quite a few times, so I told myself I had to keep working hard and prove to the coach that I’m capable. Thankfully, I managed to show him that I deserve to be part of the team.”
Before travelling to Mexico for the FIFA World Cup, Bafana Bafana will first face Nicaragua in an international friendly on Friday. Cross will be eager to impress the technical team ahead of South Africa’s opening World Cup clash against Mexico on 11 June.
