Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has issued a challenge to South African players who are making moves to North Africa.
Interest in South African players has grown tremendously in North Africa in recent times, with players and coaches securing moves to some of the top clubs in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
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Bafana Bafana's steady rise under Broos is probably one of the reasons there is attention on South African players, while the consistency of Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League could also be playing a role.
While it's good for players to move up north to take their careers to the next level, Broos has come out to say it's important that players spend more time on the pitch rather than on the bench. He gave an example of Cassius Mailula, who made a move to the Major League Soccer where he was unable to regularly break into the Toronto team.
Mailula is now on the books of Wydad Casablanca on loan, reuniting with head coach Rulani Mokwena, and there's a good chance that he will get game time, which could open doors for a Bafana Bafana return. The likes of Elias Mokwana and Khanyisa Mayo have also made moves up north and chances are there are more who will follow.
"I am very happy with that. The first step has been made, but it's up to them now to play. This is something I've always said in the beginning when I was here. South African players abroad didn't play. I don't think that's an advantage. We have players there, but if you don't play, they miss the rhythm of the game when they come to us.
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"So, I am happy with the guys who have gone to North Africa, but they have to play because otherwise we have the same problem we had with Mailula. And I said it from the beginning, what is he going to do in Toronto? He was too young to go. I think with Mokwana and Mayo, they are players with a little bit more experience with PSL games. I hope that they will play there. For them, it will be good to play in those teams and those competitions. I just hope they are strong enough. With quality, I don't see a problem, but the mentality is different than 'black Africa'. I hope they can adapt."
Broos has given Mailula some hope of returning to the national team, revealing that he is happy that the player has joined Wydad.
"I never understood why he went to Toronto, with two Italian internationals and a Canadian international (at the club). Who was Mailula? He played 15 games in the PSL. So, it was a very bad move from his agent. So, I am happy that he is going to a coach who knows him very well. That's already an advantage. I think he will have more time to play and let's hope we see the old Cassius again in a few months."
