THE FUSE

Orlando Pirates legend Albert “Bashin” Mahlangu has reignited the debate over who deserves the most credit for the recent rise of Bafana Bafana. Mahlangu has challenged the widely held view that former coach Hugo Broos built the foundation of the South African national team that enjoyed a significant improvement during his tenure. Instead, the former Buccaneers playmaker believes Pitso Mosimane laid much of the groundwork through the successful team he built at Mamelodi Sundowns. His argument is based largely on the number of Sundowns players who became important figures in the national team. The claim has opened a broader discussion about the relationship between club success and South Africa’s progress on the international stage.