Kaizer Chiefs legend and 1996 AFCON winner Doctor Khumalo has identified the modern heirs to his midfield throne. Despite the historic rivalry between Amakhosi and Orlando Pirates, the “16V” maestro admitted that the players who most closely mirror his iconic style currently wear the black and white of the Buccaneers.
Speaking on the AfricaFiveAside podcast, Khumalo singled out Relebohile Mofokeng and Siphelo Mbule as the two players who possess the rare creative spark South Africa has been missing.
The Breakdown: Why These Two?
Khumalo emphasized that both players offer a unique blend of intelligence and flair that reminds him of his own playing days:
- Relebohile Mofokeng: Khumalo praised the youngster’s natural instinct, arguing that coaches should “lose the remote control” and let him play freely. He noted that Mofokeng deserves the same protection and creative freedom Khumalo enjoyed during the 90s.
- Siphelo Mbule: Described as a “very clever player,” Khumalo highlighted Mbule’s physical strength combined with his tactical vision, suggesting he could have been the difference-maker in South Africa’s recent struggles.
Bafana Bafana’s Recent Heartbreak
The comments come in the wake of a disappointing AFCON 2025 campaign in Morocco. Despite high expectations following their 2023 bronze medal, Hugo Broos’ side exited in the Round of 16 after a 2-1 loss to Cameroon.
Khumalo believes that utilizing talents like Mbule and Mofokeng more effectively could have altered the outcome of that match. Bafana Bafana now shifts focus to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they face a massive opening test against Mexico on June 11
