Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana’s agent, Pontsho Madumo, has shared their stance on his parent club, Esperance, and outlined the planned course of action after the AFCON in Morocco.
After a lengthy absence from the national team set-up, the ‘forgotten’ winger reclaimed his place in Hugo Broos’ Bafana squad for the 2025 AFCON.
Mokwana’s exclusion from previous squads raised eyebrows due to a combination of factors, including late-season surges and a complex transition period in North Africa.
His move to Tunisian giants Esperance was marked by a lack of pre-season training, which initially hampered his rhythm and saw him slip out of the national team frame. Now having rediscovered his form on loan in the Saudi Pro League with Al Hazem, the winger is part of Broos’s troops that will do battle in Morocco.
South Africa kick off their Group B campaign on Monday, 22 December 2025, against Angola, before taking on Egypt in Agadir and Zimbabwe back in Marrakech.
PONTSHO MADUMO REVEALS ESPERANCE STANCE
Madumo expressed immense relief regarding the selection. He noted that while the wait was nerve-wracking, the player’s recent performances made the call-up inevitable.
“I’m very excited and very happy to see him going to AFCON, which is something that we have been dreaming about. Remember last AFCON, he was on standby because he started performing late, but now he made it,” Madumo told FARPost.
He believes the Belgian mentor never lost sight of the winger’s talent: “Hugo knew Elias, and he knew what he could give to the team. He just wanted to see other players, but it was a bit scary. We’re happy. I’m so excited, and also knowing he just hit form where he is now.”
While the focus is currently on national colours, Mokwana’s club future remains a major talking point. Despite helping Esperance to a league title, the attacker did not return to Tunisia, opting instead for a loan move to Al Hazem.
With his loan stint ending in June, Madumo is seeking clarity on whether the winger will return to his parent club or make his stay in Saudi Arabia permanent.
“When he moved from Esperance, it was late, and he didn’t do the pre-season with them; that is what affected him mostly,” Madumo explained. “Once he hit the ground in Saudi Arabia, that is when the form came back.”
As January approaches, the agent intends to press for a decision on the winger’s long-term home.
“He’s on loan at Hazem, so at the end of the season, Esperance have got the right to exercise the option that they have. In January, we will push for Esperance to communicate regarding a way forward because at Hazem, he went on loan with an option to buy,” Madumo concluded.
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