Thulani Hlatshwayo Hails South Africa's Golden Generation Of Defenders

Former Bafana Bafana defender Thulani Hlatshwayo has praised the golden generation of defenders, including Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon, as the national team hosts Guinea for the AFCON Qualifiers at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.

Golden Generation

South African football has always been synonymous with skill, showboating and entertainment. From the days of the legendary Jomo Sono to the more recent generations of Scara Ngobese, South Africa has consistently produced ball players.

As a result, in South African football, building a successful career abroad was almost exclusively reserved for midfielders and attackers, with the likes of Steven Pienaar, who played for Everton in the English Premier League for many years, being a prime example.

However, critics still highlighted how South African football seemed to lack orthodox players, the kind that could stick to match-winning tactics instead of prioritising entertainment and skill on the ball.

Despite it being a relatively smaller pool of players, that idea was nullified by the fact that the likes of Mark Fish, Aaron Mokoena and Lucas Radebe embodied the qualities that were not associated with South African football: leadership and defensive abilities.

From that generation emerged the likes of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya, a trio of young defenders who carry the same football DNA of leadership, commanding presence and supreme defensive abilities.

Just like the likes of Fish, who played in Serie A, the current generation, Mbokazi (Chicago Fire), Okon (Hannover 96) and Makhanya (Rangers), have shown that they can go abroad and neutralise high-level attackers.

Former Bafana Bafana defender Hlatshwayo, in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom, expressed that South Africa is blessed to have such talented and disciplined youngsters.

“We are blessed. I think in the position of a centre-back, we have been blessed in South Africa. Not only are they good, but there is the future with them because they're very strong and young,” Hlatshwayo told SportsBoom.co.za.

“You look at our World Cup team, there’s the centre-back pairing between Ime Ikon and Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Then you look at Makhanya, Seema, and Kwabini. As much as Kwabini can play left-back, he can also play centre-back." 

“I think we've been blessed beyond measure with the players playing in that position. The future looks great. Now with the new Pitso Mosimane era, no matter who plays or what combinations we opt for, I think our centre-back pairing, more than anything, it's for them to support each other." 

“My comment as someone who played there, who's been there, I think we are very blessed to have such youngsters. I think our future looks bright in our centre-back positions for the future of our team.”

Exposure & Experience

Not only are the three defenders talented, but they are also exposed to high-level football as they play abroad. Even the defenders who are still based in South Africa, the likes of Aubrey Modiba and Nkosinathi Sibisi, are exposed to good quality football.

Modiba was involved in Sundowns’ 2-1 victory over Al Ahli in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, beating the most decorated African football club, and are now set to compete in the FIFA Challenger Cup with teams such as the current European champions, Paris Saint-Germain.

Hlatshwayo believes that the exposure that current Bafana players have received will go a long way in aiding the national team to reach new heights.

“They are playing in Europe and America; I think it's very good for them to get the exposure and experience. I look at our own Makhanya; I think he has grown from Stellenbosch, going overseas, playing in the MLS and in Europe now; I think he has grown,” Hlatshwayo added. 

“I remember when we played Mexico, with Olwethu, because Mexico had a lot of players who are from MLS; he was able to say what kind of players they are, how they play, what their personality is." 

“So, having more of those, I think it works to our advantage as a country because back in the day we didn't have a lot of centre-backs playing abroad." 

“We had Aaron Mokoena, Lucas Radebe, Neil Tovey, and at their age already they were exposed overseas. I think that's a good thing in terms of that centre-back position, because that's where normally you will get a lot of leaders." 

“Even here at home, we do have Mudau and Modiba playing for Mamelodi Sundowns. You look at the experiences that they've gained so far; they are going to play against PSG now, and that's what we need, especially now with the qualifiers for AFCON.”

AFCON Qualifiers & Friendly

Bafana Bafana are set to play against Guinea and Eritrea in the AFCON Qualifiers. The fixture against Guinea is scheduled for Saturday, 26 September at Orlando Amstel Arena, while Cairo will provide the neutral venue for the fixture against Eritrea on 30 September.

Soon after, Bafana Bafana will play against Egypt in Cairo, for what will be a mouthwatering contest between some of the best teams in Africa.

Hlatshwayo says he is expecting a fierce rivalry against Egypt as both teams will look to represent their country with pride.

“I’m expecting a rivalry against Egypt. If you remember well, in 2020/2019, we knocked off Egypt in Cairo, at their national Stadium. There's never a friendly game between the two countries,” said Hlatshwayo.

“In international football, there's nothing that is called a friendly game, so it's always about representing your country, and it's always an honour to wear that jersey.”