Mamelodi Sundowns’ Malibongwe Khoza Urges Players to Respect Tournaments Like COSAFA and CHAN

Mamelodi Sundowns defender Malibongwe Khoza has urged young players not to underestimate tournaments such as the COSAFA Cup and CHAN, highlighting their importance in gaining national team experience.

The 21-year-old was recently called up to Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. Although this is his first senior national team call-up, Khoza is no stranger to international football, having featured in South Africa’s CHAN squad.

Khoza credits his CHAN experience for helping him regain form at Sundowns.

“The team told me that they are letting me go to CHAN because they wanted me to gain national team experience since I didn’t have any,” Khoza said at a press conference. “I went there, got some minutes, came back, and started playing more, gaining my experience.”

He stressed the value of smaller tournaments for player development.

“As players, we tend to look down on COSAFA and CHAN, but it’s not supposed to be that way. It’s a way of getting experience for players who can’t break into the Bafana Bafana team. You learn how other countries play and grow as a player.”

Khoza also credited his father for guiding him through his football career.

“Obviously, he was happy and excited. He told me that I am going to get there and that I shouldn’t worry. I got my first call-up at CHAN and he told me to focus and keep working hard,” Khoza said.

The young defender understands that maintaining a spot in the national team requires consistency.

“It’s to be consistent. It’s not easy as a player because sometimes you have downfalls, but you have to make sure you don’t have a big gap in terms of your performance,” he added.

With the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for later this year, Khoza will be looking to maintain high performance levels to impress Broos and secure a spot in the squad.

Khoza’s journey from CHAN to the senior national team demonstrates the importance of tournaments like COSAFA and CHAN in shaping future Bafana Bafana regulars. His advice serves as a reminder to players that every opportunity on the international stage can be a stepping stone to greater achievements.