Bafana Bafana defender Malibongwe Khoza has opened up on the potential qualification of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and how he’s handled his meteoric rise in a competitive environment like Mamelodi Sundowns.
Khoza, 21, has enjoyed an incredible rise to prominence, from initially breaking into the reserve team as a midfielder, converted into a centre-back and coming just a few days away from leaving the club for Cape Town City – before Sundowns convinced him to sign a new deal.
This came with a place in their pre-season squad for the 2024/25 season and since then he’s not looked back, with 38 first team appearances, playing in the Cosafa Cup, African Nations Championship and now Bafana proper, having replaced Siyabonga Ngezana in the squad for the upcoming, crucial, 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda.
“For me it would mean a lot, not only for me, for my parents, for my club, for everyone around me it would mean a lot – I don’t only represent myself, but I represent my country and my family,” he said about potentially helping Bafana qualify for the World Cup.
South Africa need to better the results of Benin to finish as group winners and book their ticket to the Mundial – and Khoza could be key but will be competing with Nkosinathi Sibisi for a place in the starting line-up.
However, the young defender appears to be on a path for a major career, showing maturity beyond his years, which he feels is down to his upbringing and professional environment at Masandawana – where he rose through the ranks.
“It starts at home [handling the rise to professional football pressure], how they raised me as a player that you see today – my parents have always been supportive, and in terms of the team, I have always looked up to the players who came up through the MDC, and their journey,” he explained.
“I picked up some stuff – and I took notes, to see how they did things, make sure I use the right things and don’t repeat those mistakes going into the first team.
“Playing with the most experience players, I learned a lot from Grant, Mosa, and the guys in my position – I’ve picked up notes, and having a big heart and making sure I perform every game.”
South Africa take on Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, before hosting Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium four days later.
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