‘Bafana Talent Not Good Enough For Top Euro Leagues’

Bafana Bafana stars are on the receiving end of criticism from Udoh

Bafana Bafana’s early exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has reignited debate about the global standing of South African footballers, with questions now being raised over whether local talent is truly good enough to compete at the highest levels of European football.

Bafana Bafana’s hopes of ending their long wait for continental silverware were brought to an end after a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite showing early promise in the tournament, South Africa were unable to overcome the Indomitable Lions, crashing out at the first knockout hurdle.

Cameroon’s side featured stars such as Bryan Mbeumo, who plies his trade for English giants Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, who has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, to name a few.

In the aftermath of the elimination, debate has sparked around the overall quality of South African footballers, particularly when measured against elite international standards.

Nigerian journalist and sports commentator Colin Udoh has suggested that Bafana’s struggles on the continental stage stem from a shortage of genuine world-class talent within the squad.

South Africa’s AFCON 2025 team did feature several players with European pedigree. Lyle Foster is currently on the books of Premier League side Burnley, Siyabonga Ngezana has impressed both domestically and in continental competition with Romanian outfit FCSB. Adding to it is captain Ronwen Williams who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, but made history in 2024 by becoming the first goalkeeper ever nominated for the Yashin Trophy.

However, Udoh believes that these examples do little to change the broader picture regarding South Africa’s standing in global football.

“In terms of talent, South African talents are good enough to play at the level of African leagues and their league. They’re not good enough to play at top European leagues. You only have a few,” Udoh said speaking on an ESPN podcast.

“In fact, the last two world-class players South Africa had playing in Europe was Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar. Outside of that, you don’t see many players who are good enough to leave the PSL and go to Europe.

“Lyle Foster is good, but he’s a mid-tier player. He’s not a player you look at and think ‘Oh he’s a striker. I’m going to put him on the same level as Victor Osimhen or Mohamed Salah’. You can’t do that because he’s not. He’s just not the same quality.”

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