With a debate on whether Bafana Bafana should take the opportunity to naturalize Mamelodi Sundowns attacker, Brazilian, Lucas Ribeiro Costa, former midfielder Benson Mhlongo has offered his view.
Ribeiro has been the most, if not one of the most, prominent attackers in the PSL, going back from his debut season in the 2023/24 campaign.
The Brazilian, however, is unknown in his country, who have an elite of players in the European leagues to choose from, with even a small margin of players playing locally selected for the national team.
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The 26-year-old is yet to be capped by The Selecao at any international level, from the juniors up to the senior side and there's been suggestions that South Africa should take the opportunity and naturalize him to be eligible for selection.
Mhlongo, who has skippered the Brazilians, however, says he does not support that notion.
"For me it's a no-go zone. As you can see we're battling with politics, how to balance the diversity that we have and sports is the most important part of the transition of our democracy," Mhlongo told Soccer Laduma in an exclusive interview.
"So if we're gonna take outsiders and make them national players to play for us, what are we saying to the masses of these boys trying to play the game?
"We just need to produce our own and stop taking credit of other players from other countries. Let's produce our own and give our own a chance," Mhlongo said.
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The former Orlando Pirates defender went on and stated that rising star Relebohile Mofokeng should instead be supported to be leading the Bafana attack in the near future, to make the country proud as one of their own from grassroots.
"Let's empower Relebohile (Mofokeng) to step up and take that role as (the main number ten). He's young but you can give him that confidence and nurture him, as long we're not in a hurry to win things. Let's focus on building our squad until it's strong, cricket has made it after years, we also have to take our time," the former Bafana Bafana midfielder said.
"I don't support it (that Costa should play for Bafana) as a former player. I don't think it's right for the country, I don't think it's good for our game," the concerned 'Mayanga' warned.
