As Bafana Bafana, the South African national football team, prepares for the crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan, an all too familiar issue looms large – the lack of a consistent, reliable goal-scorer. The team’s captain and goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, has been earning plaudits for his heroic performances, but the striker position remains a long-standing concern for the Rainbow Nation.
The Post-Benni McCarthy Era
Since the retirement of the legendary Benni McCarthy in 2013, Bafana Bafana has struggled to find a worthy successor to lead the line. McCarthy, a former Blackburn Rovers and Orlando Pirates striker, holds the record for most goals scored for South Africa with 31. However, no modern striker has come close to matching his prowess, leaving the team often lacking in the goalscoring department.
Lyle Foster: The Prodigal Son
Among the current crop of strikers, Lyle Foster was touted as the one with the most potential. Nominated for the European Golden Boy award in 2020, much was expected from the young forward. Despite a stint in the Premier League with Burnley, Foster has yet to fully live up to his early promise, battling injuries and mental health issues along the way.
He’s still a good top striker in the club and Bafana like last time [that he played], he scored for Bafana and got injured. Until today, he has not recovered.
– Augusto Palacios, Foster’s former coach
Iqraam Rayners: The Late Bloomer
In Foster’s absence, Iqraam Rayners has stepped up, finding form for both club and country. The 28-year-old striker, who plays for defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, has scored three times in eight appearances for Bafana Bafana since his debut in March. However, his relatively late introduction to the national team highlights a broader issue in South African football – talented players often slip through the cracks early in their careers.
Youth Development: The Root of the Problem
The lack of comprehensive youth football setups offering holistic development from a young age is a significant contributing factor to South Africa’s goalscoring woes. Augusto Palacios, who nurtured Foster at his academy, believes that the absence of proper development structures hinders the progress of young strikers.
The level of PSL is different to the national team. Some strikers did not have development from an early age.
– Augusto Palacios
The culture of street football, prevalent in South African townships, also plays a role in shaping the skills and mentality of young players. According to former South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO Robin Petersen, the conditions in which many youngsters play football celebrate showboating and possession rather than finishing and scoring goals.
Broos’ Options for the Qualifiers
For the upcoming AFCON qualifiers, head coach Hugo Broos has a few options to lead the line. With Foster injured and Percy Tau lacking playing time at club level, the responsibility is likely to fall on either Iqraam Rayners or Evidence Makgopa, a 24-year-old striker who has scored four goals in six league games for Orlando Pirates this season.
While South Africa is in a better position compared to their 2019 AFCON campaign, where they scored only three goals in five games, the search for a reliable, consistent goal-scorer remains an ongoing challenge. The development of young strikers and the nurturing of talent through proper youth structures will be crucial in addressing this long-standing issue and propelling Bafana Bafana to continental glory.
