Doctor Khumalo has backed Pitso Mosimane’s decision to include Themba Zwane in the latest Bafana Bafana squad, arguing that experienced players can play an important role during a period of transition.
Zwane, 37, was selected in Mosimane’s first squad since returning as Bafana coach. He is part of a 30-man group preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, followed by an international friendly against Egypt. Mosimane has also named Zwane, Ronwen Williams and Sipho Chaine as part of his leadership group.
The inclusion of Zwane has generated discussion because of his age and his current role at club level. However, Khumalo believes that removing too many experienced players at the same time could make the transition more difficult for younger members of the squad.
Speaking on The DNA Podcast, Khumalo explained that his own experience with Bafana Bafana taught him the importance of having senior players around during periods of change.
Khumalo pointed to the transition following South Africa’s 1996 AFCON triumph and the team’s qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup as an example of what can happen when experienced players are not properly replaced.
He also highlighted the number of younger players Mosimane has introduced to the national team and said senior figures can provide guidance when the pressure of international football increases.
Meanwhile, “When I was Kaizer Chiefs’ assistant coach in 2012, I was interested in purchasing a small stake in the club to become part of the Amakhosi family. I proposed buying a 10% shareholding, but Kaizer Motaung Snr told me that a 10% stake was valued at R100 million. He explained that Kaizer Chiefs is a major football brand worth billions of rands, meaning I would have needed R100 million to acquire a 10% stake,” says Doctor Khumalo.
Khumalo’s comments on Zwane come as Mosimane begins building a new-look Bafana squad that contains several younger players. The coach has explained that Zwane’s experience and leadership are among the reasons for his selection.
The former Bafana midfielder also mentioned Nkosinathi Sibisi when discussing the importance of experienced players, while stressing that international football can be a different environment for young players compared with domestic competition.
For Khumalo, the presence of senior players can give younger members of the squad someone to turn to when they face the pressure of their first international assignments. He believes that guidance from experienced teammates can be particularly important before and during difficult matches.
Mosimane’s squad will therefore combine established figures such as Zwane and Williams with a number of younger players as South Africa begin their AFCON qualification campaign. The balance between experience and youth will be an important feature of the new coach’s early tenure.