Motale sees shades of ’96 AFCON glory team in the current Bafana - driven by Pirates core

Motale was part of Orlando Pirates' 1995 African Champions League-winning squad, and two months later, the country was crowned African champions on home soil.

That team, under head coach Cliver Barker, had a strong Pirates representation, and after coach Hugo Broos announced nine Bucs players in his 25-man squad to Morocco this month, Motale is seeing some similarities.

"The last time Orlando Pirates dominated the Bafana Bafana squad was 30 years ago during our time. We had about seven pirates players in that squad. Before this squad, Sundowns had the most players in the Bafana set up, but now it's Orlando Pirates."

 Another player whose star continues to rise at the international level is Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has made the cut for the Bafana Bafana squad going to the AFCON.

With the overseas link also strong, Motale says the 20-year-old centre-back fully deserves what is coming his way...

"What I like about him is that he had a dream, and he fulfilled his dream, and he fulfilled it through his performances.

"I like his focus, determination and his will to win."

READ: Final 25-man Bafana Bafana squad named for AFCON 2025 in Morocco

Motale says that with the good momentum around Bafana Bafana and after returning with the bronze medal from Côte d’Ivoire, Broos’ team can do wonders next year and end the AFCON trophy drought — 30 years on...

Motale’s predications are echoed by a former Pirates goalkeeper and analyst Brighton Mhlongo, who had also made a strong prediction that Broos will stick with his three goalkeepers Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss for continuity purposes.

"For coach Hugo it has been about keeping the core of the group, which has been there for some time. He has made sure that he has the players who he started this project with, and when you look at the goalkeeping department, continuity has been key as well."