Kaizer Chiefs went from having several Bafana Bafana hopefuls to just one man carrying the club’s flag at FIFA World Cup 2026.
Now, with South Africa’s campaign hanging in the balance, the big question is whether that lone Kaizer star will finally get his moment on football’s grandest stage having watched from the sidelines thus far.
If Hugo Broos gives him the nod, Kaizer Chiefs will at last be represented on the pitch at World Cup 2026.
If not, Amakhosi’s only man in the squad could leave the tournament without kicking a ball.
KAIZER CHIEFS’ ONLY PLAYER AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP
Bradley Cross is the only Kaizer Chiefs player who made Hugo Broos’ final 26-man Bafana Bafana squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.
His club team-mates Brandon Petersen, Thabiso Monyane and Lebohang Maboe were all named in the 32-man preliminary squad.
Unfortunately, for that Amakhosi trio, it was a case of so close, yet so far as they were among the six players cut before football’s greatest showpiece.
The other three players dropped were Patrick Maswanganyi, Thapelo Morena and Brooklyn Poggenpoel.
Cross is the sole Kaizer Chiefs representative in the national squad. However, he is yet to play at the FIFA World Cup.
That means no Amakhosi player has represented the club on the pitch at the tournament as things stand.
ALSO READ: KAIZER CHIEFS SET TO APPOINT EX COACH TO JOIN DA CRUZ AT NATURENA – REPORT
WILL CROSS FINALLY GET HIS CHANCE AGAINST SOUTH KOREA?
That decision now rests with Broos.
The Bafana Bafana head coach is unlikely to opt for a five-man defence again, especially with South Africa needing a victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Even when he used that system against Mexico, Cross was not selected. That does not make for good reading for the Kaizer Chiefs defender or Amakhosi fans hoping to see one of their own in action.
Bafana Bafana need a win against South Korea. In addition, they may need co-hosts Mexico to defeat Czech Republic.
This match represents Cross’ best chance of playing – even off the substitutes’ bench – because if they go through to the next round, Broos will likely continue with his regular back four.
In all honesty, he is unlikely to feature. However, it is not impossible.
Cross could be rewarded for the work he put in to earn his call-up. A late cameo off the bench is realistic, but not likely.
BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD DEPTH TO BE TESTED IN THEIR BIGGEST MATCH YET
South Africa will also be forced into changes for this decisive Group A clash.
Fan favourite and PSL legend Themba Zwane remains unavailable after being handed a three-match suspension following his red card against Mexico in the opening match of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana’s only goalscorer of the competition so far, Teboho Mokoena, will also miss the clash with South Korea.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder picked up his second yellow card of the tournament during South Africa’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against Czech Republic.
He then scored the crucial equaliser from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute to keep Bafana Bafana’s World Cup dream alive.
So, Broos and Bafana Bafana will be stretched in the midfield.
Thankfully for South Africa, Sphephelo Sithole returns after serving his one-match suspension following his red card against Mexico.
However, he endured a difficult outing in the opener.
Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Broos will maintain faith in him and throw him straight back into the starting XI.
Other options
He also has other options to consider.
Relebohile Mofokeng could be deployed in a more advanced central role.
Meanwhile some pundits have even suggested using Mbekezeli Mbokazi as a makeshift number six and bringing Nkosinathi Sibisi into the back-line.
All of these are decisions Broos will have to weigh up carefully before naming his side for one of Bafana Bafana’s biggest matches in recent memory.
DO YOU THINK CROSS WILL REPRESENT KAIZER CHIEFS ON THE PITCH AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP?
Let us know your thoughts and prediction in the comments section below …
