There have been players who’ve had very good careers domestically but, failed to impress or even get the opportunity to dazzle for Bafana Bafana at international level. Here are the top 14 players who had below par international careers:
Notable mentions
Emmanuel ‘Scara’ Ngobese
14. Tefu Mashamaite
Caps for Bafana Bafana: 8
Reason for the below-average international career: His overall ability didn’t suit the international game.
Tefu Mashamaite as a central defender came into prominence in Stuart Baxter’s Kaizer Chiefs. Those sides prided themselves on defending well and attacking their opponents in broken play on the transition.
He helped Chiefs win a league and cup double in 2012/13 and captained them to another league double in 2014/15.
Mashamaite was very intelligent at shutting down passing lanes and clearing aerial balls that came into the 18-area.
In 2015 he won Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and Absa Premiership Defender of the Season.
His lack of game time at the international level may have been due to his lack of overall athleticism. Tefu was somewhat slow and wasn’t the strongest of defenders.
13. Michael Manzini
Caps for Bafana Bafana: 3
Reason for the below-average international career: His prime came at a time when there was a glut of better players in his position.
Michael Manzini was a defender who started and finished his career at Mamelodi Sundowns between 1995-2009.
He was a reliable and efficient captain who made well over 250 appearances for the Masandawana.
Manzini was a mainstay in Gordan Igesunds 2006–2008 Sundowns sides. Those teams could be described as one of the best in the PSL era.
Unfortunately, not many national coaches thought he had what it takes at the international level.
12. Lebohang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena
Caps for Bafana Bafana: 8
Reason for the below-average international career: Decisions on and off the pitch
A pimple-faced 17-year-old Cheeseboy burst onto the scene in the early 2000s. He graduated from the Orlando Pirates academy to their first team coached Kostadine Papic.
Mokoena is one of a few young players in South Africa who has the record of having represented his nation at all levels. Starting at Under-17, U-20, U-23, and then the senior team.
He was lighting quick, with awe-inspiring skills (embarrassing to some), and a good finisher in front of goal.
In the 2004/05 Mokoena won Orlando Pirates’ Most Improved Player of the Year award. A few months later he made his senior national team debut.
After being disillusioned by failed moves overseas Mokoena’s form dropped. A move to Sundowns in 2009 saw his game time diminish. His career took a nosedive after that.
Mokoena was supposed to be South Africa’s next Steven Pienaar or Benni McCarthy. He let situations he could not control dictate the things he could.