PFA boss congratulates African teams on FIFA World Cup qualification

South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Cape Verde, and Ivory Coast have all secured their spot in the tournament set for North America next year, with Bafana Bafana qualifying for the first time since 2002.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Maheta, who was born to a Congolese father and an Italian mother, says there is no doubt that Africa produces talented players.

"I think that there is no doubt that Africa is a huge source of talent, being myself from the DRC Congo. I know the level of talent that we have in Africa, I know how sometimes we have not been able to shine as much as we should have,” Molango said. 

“I'm desperate to see an African team winning the World Cup because I think we do have the talent and maybe it's time for us now to capitalise on having so many players playing in top competitions, being exposed to the highest level of competition to maybe kind of bring our national teams to the level that they should be."

READ: Miguel Cardoso reacts to Sundowns CL group stage qualification

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso previously opened up on the challenge of his side competing in the FIFA Club World Cup without much of an off-season. Molango, who was at the forefront of the battle against FIFA’s calendar debacle, says he loves to see African teams strive and compete on the international stage but not at the detriment of the players.

"I am actually glad that you asked me that question because oftentimes people think that the calendar is only an issue for a very few privileged European clubs who complain despite probably making a good living,” he explained.

“We keep saying that that's not true, the calendar is an issue that affects not just clubs in Europe, it affects people in South Africa. It affects people in Africa and as you said, we are now seeing the consequences of players going to back-to-back seasons with no proper rest and probably not being able to perform at the level that they should be performing at. 

“For me, due to my African origins, I want to see African clubs thriving and doing well. I want them to participate in global competitions but not at the expense of the health of the players. This is something that we should be careful about and this has been our struggle and our fight."

The PFA were part of the unions that laid a complaint against FIFA for its conduct regarding the congested international match calendar, especially due to the new quadrennial FIFA Club World Cup.