Broos Defends Makgopa Recall: “He’s Not Messi Or Ronaldo”
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he understands the skepticism surrounding the recall of striker Evidence Makgopa, admitting that the Orlando Pirates forward is “not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo”.
Broos has insisted that his contribution to the team should not be underestimated.
Makgopa was called up as a replacement for Iqraam Rayners, who was withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad due to medical reasons.
Rayners has since returned to his club, Mamelodi Sundowns, for recovery ahead of South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday (18:00) and Rwanda at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday (18:00).
Makgopa has long been one of Broos’s most trusted players, having featured prominently during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, where Bafana Bafana clinched the bronze medal.
He famously opened the scoring — initially thought to be offside — when Bafana beat a highly-rated Morocco side in the Round of 16, before Teboho Mokoena’s stunning free kick sealed a famous victory.
That strike remains Makgopa’s only goal for the national team so far, but his tireless pressing, physical presence, and defensive work from the front earned widespread praise.
The former Baroka FC striker last represented South Africa in November last year, featuring in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.
“I don’t think I have to make a big explanation about what he can or cannot do,” Broos said.
“When we went to the AFCON two years ago, everyone was asking, ‘What is Makgopa doing in the team?’ You saw the role he played there.
“Many people underestimate him. He’s not Messi, he’s not Ronaldo — I know that too. But he’s a player who can be very helpful to the team, and he showed that at AFCON.
“When Iqraam had to leave the camp, I didn’t hesitate to call him back because I know if we need him tomorrow, he will help us enormously.”
The Limpopo-born forward has made 11 appearances for Orlando Pirates in all competitions this season, scoring one goal and providing three assists, 18 with the national team, with four goals.
