Former Bafana Bafana striker Mark Williams feels South Africa’s number nines are not exposed to top-level football, hence their struggles to be prolific on the international scene.
Bafana are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they are in Group A together with co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic. It is a tournament coach Hugo Broos’ strikers will be put to the test against experienced defenders.
The Belgian has invested trust in Lyle Foster and Orlando Pirates’ Evidence Makgopa as his target men. Burnley FC striker Foster returned from the 2025 AFCON with two goals from four games, while Makgopa managed a goal in three outings.
But Williams is convinced the number nines still lack international exposure. The two have been supported by wingers and attacking midfielders like Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi and Oswin Appollis.
These concerns are reflected in the numbers this season: Foster has managed three goals and two assists in 23 Premier League outings for Burnley, while Makgopa has registered six goals and three assists in 25 appearances for Orlando Pirates.
And since Broos took over as Bafana coach, the most high-profile match they were involved in was arguably the 5-0 humiliation by then-world champions France in March 2022. Williams believes the lack of such big games has affected Broos’ strikers.
MARK WILLIAMS MAKES CANDID ASSESSMENT OF BAFANA BAFANA STRIKERS
“For me, the strikers we have are not very consistent; they don’t score week in, week out. When it comes to Bafana Bafana, they also lack international experience, which doesn’t work in our favour,” Williams told FARPost. “When it comes to playing for the national team, experience will help you. When you are exposed to big opponents, you are used to a higher level of football.
“Imagine if we were exposed to playing against Argentina, Holland, England or Germany. You want to test yourselves against such countries. But now we can’t pay $5 million [R85 million] to get Germany or Argentina for a friendly match. Now, who is next to Mexico? Panama and Mexico are not the same.
“If we play Argentina, we can see how far we are. Panama got few players playing abroad. Argentina and Brazil have 90 percent players abroad. We don’t know if Bafana are coming or going.
“It’s about experience. Our strikers are not tested against big teams. In fact, the whole team lack international experience. Don’t tell me you play Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Namibia, and you talk of experience. We need to get competition, we need striker coaches. Why are clubs afraid of hiring striker coaches when we have goalkeeper coaches?”
WILLIAMS JOINS THE RAYNERS DEBATE
Hugo Broos caused a stir by excluding Mamelodi Sundowns striker Iqraam Rayners from the Bafana Bafana squad that battled in two international friendlies against Panama. Rayners is chasing the Betway Premiership Golden Boot and is currently on 10 goals.
But the former Club Brugge and Anderlecht coach views him as not good enough for his side and also left him out of the 2025 AFCON mission. Broos has brought back to the national side MLS-based Bongokuhle Hlongwane while overlooking Rayners
“You always want to improve. I don’t see an improvement in Makgopa. I like him, and Rayners hasn’t been given the opportunity, which is unfair,” added Williams. Sundowns are the best team, and Rayners is not there by hook or crook, but because he is scoring. But why is he not in the national team?”
“You see, this goes back to what I was saying. If you don’t call up Rayners, where do you think he is going to get international football experience?”
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