AFTER the announcement of the final squad of 26 Bafana Bafana players to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it has been noticed that the province of KwaZulu-Natal is represented by seven players which is the first time in history that we have had such a number of players in the World Cup.
The seven players from KwaZulu-Natal who will be playing in the World Cup are goalkeeper Ricardo Goss, Nkosinathi “Bhodlela” Sibisi, Olwethu Makhanya, Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi, Khulumani “Mtara” Ndamane, Thalente Mbatha and Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole.
When Bafana played for the first time in the World Cup in 1998, in France, it was represented by only three players, namely Helman “Ncane” Mkhalele and Paul Evans, both from Newcastle, and Delron Buckley from Durban.
In the 2002 World Cup held in Korea-Japan, KZN was represented by five players, MacBeth Sibaya and Sibusiso “Rhee” Zuma, Siyabonga “Bhele” Nomvethe, Buckley and George Koumantarakis.
In 2010 which was held in this country, this province was represented by five, Siboniso “Pa” Gaxa, Thanduyise “Gonondo” Khuboni, Siyabonga “Nsimbi” Sangweni, Nomvethe and Sibaya.
Ricardo Goss – Chesterville
Goss (32) who grew up in Chesterville started playing professional football for Lamontville Golden Arrows in the 2012/13 season before playing for teams including Bidvest Wits, Supersport and Mamelodi Sundowns who loaned him to Siwelele FC.
Even though his team could not enter the Top 8 at the end of the season, his goalkeeper and goalkeeper went a long way in improving the performance of this team that finished 10th in the Betway Premiership log.
Olwethu Makhanya – Kwa Makhuta
Makhanya (22) who grew up in Kwa Makhutha started playing football for Stellenbosch FC in the 2022/23 season from his DStv Diski Challenge team, which had taken him from Marumo Gallants.
After one season in the Premiership, he joined the USA team, which plays in the Major League Soccer (MLS), the Philadelphia Union in which he has played for three seasons.
Although his team, Philadelphia, is still struggling this season in the MLS, but his excellent hitting at the back, where he marks and starts the moves, has made it difficult for the Bafana coach to ignore him.
Lord Sibisi – Mpophomeni
Sibisi (30), originally from Mpophome, played six seasons for Lamontville Golden Arrows before joining Orlando Pirates in the 2022/23 season. He won his first Betway Premiership league cup with Pirates in the 2025/26 season, having just been wrapped up as its captain.
Being a pillar in the back wall of Zimnyama and being one of the key players in the national team, Bafana, he can’t stay on the plane to North America for the World Cup.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Kwa Nibela
Mbokazi (20) from Kwa Nibela, Hluhluwe, who is in his second season playing professional football, joined the Chicago Fire of the USA, who play in the MLS, in January from Orlando Pirates where he played for one and a half seasons and came to stand out and become a trusted member of the national team, Bafana.
Continuing the good form of his team, Chicago, who finished the season in third place on the log is what made him stay in the eyes of Broos.
Talk Ndamane – KwaNomoya
Ndamane (22) from KwaNomoya, Sahlumbe, who is also in his second season playing in the paid division, made him stand out by being signed by Mamelodi Sundowns in January even though he had already started being called up to the national team while playing for TS Galaxy.
He played one season for the Rockets from the Kaizer Chiefs team that plays in the DStv Diski Challenge, which took him from Drakensberg FC in Mtshezi.
Continuing his good form at Sundowns, with whom he recently won the Caf Champions League, opened the doors for him to the World Cup.
Talent Mbatha – KwaMashu
Mbatha (26) from KwaMashu, Durban, has played three seasons for Pirates, which he joined in the 2023/24 season from Supersport. Being the mainstay of Zimnyama and continuing the form he has shown in the past two seasons is exactly what made him continue to be one of the key players in the national team.
The midfielder played a major role in the success of the Blacks this past season, winning three titles, including the Premier League.
Sphefelo Sithole – Ulundi
Sithole (27) from Lundi, was trained at the KZN Football Academy. After leaving this institution, he played in different teams in Portugal, including Vitoria FC, B SAD and Gil Vicente, to which he was loaned from Tondela.
Since he returned to his team Tondela, this season, he has scored in 28 games and scored two goals, which is what has confirmed his place in the team heading to the World Cup where Bafana Bafana will open in Group A with Mexico, Czechia and Korea Republic.