Bartlett Backs Mohau Nkota To Smash Bafana’s Long-Standing Goal

(Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)

Two decades after hanging up his boots, Shaun Bartlett’s name still sits near the summit of Bafana Bafana’s scoring charts, a reminder of just how rare prolific strikers have become in South African football.

With 28 goals, Bartlett remains second only to Benni McCarthy’s 31, a statistic that has stubbornly refused to change since his retirement in 2005.

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But the former Charlton Athletic forward believes the drought can end, and he has thrown down a challenge to one of Bafana’s rising stars.

Speaking at Bafana Bafana’s Castle Lager send-off, Bartlett revealed he has personally urged Mohau Nkota to target both historic records.

“I’ve actually thrown that challenge to Mohau Nkota the other day. I said to him, firstly, I want him to be the next player to score two goals in a game. And then also to take up first mine and then beat Benni’s.

“I retired 20 years ago, 2005, so it’s time that one of these players obviously get close. I think the closest that came was probably Bernard Parker, before Katlego Mphela. So, I think there’s enough players. I think he stays injury-free, plays for the national team more often. I think he can also come close, if not beat myself and Benni.

“There’s always players like in an attacking role, like Helman Mkhalele used to score goals even from a wing position. So, Oswin (Appollis) gets himself in good positions. He’s scored quite a few goals already for South Africa in probably the least amount of games. So, goals to game. Sure, I think Oswin has a better chance of getting close to us.”

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