Sphephelo Sithole #13

Profile

Nicknamed “Yaya”, Sithole is a big, powerful, composed midfielder – but unlike the Ivorian great Yaya Touré he is more of a pragmatic, defensive operator. His job for Bafana Bafana is to sit deep and protect the defence. Unusually in this international squad, he has never played professionally in South Africa and has spent his entire senior career in Portugal, though before this tournament he expressed an interest in a change, and a good showing at the World Cup should open up plenty of options. “I’ve been in Portugal for eight years, close to nine now, so for me to go somewhere else, maybe outside of Portugal, if things go well, could be good for my career. I want an opportunity to go and play somewhere else.” He had to show mental strength in 2024 after fracturing his tibia and fibula in an Afcon qualifier against South Sudan. “I thought maybe it was the end of my career,” he said last year. “I would like to thank God for the opportunity he gave me to play football again.”

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