SEDIBEBG.- Vaal will be represented in the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which is scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from 13 January to 11 February.
Vaal’s finest, Thapelo Maseko, who currently plays for Mamelodi Sundowns is part of Bafana Bafana’s 23-man squad named by Coach Hugo Broos for this 24th edition of the biggest sports event on African soil.
This former Super Sport winger’s impressive performance since joining Mamelodi Sundowns saw him get a call-up for the national team. His rise to stardom came after he joined the free-spending Sundowns from SuperSport United. The last player from Vaal to represent South Africa at this level was former Bafana Bafana Captain, Aaron ‘Mbazo’ Mokoena who is the most capped former Bafana Bafana player with 107 caps.
Maseko will go down in the history of South African football as one of the youngest players to represent the country at this level. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Maseko said he is excited to represent his country at this biggest tournament in the continent. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport, that this call-up came as a surprise because he didn’t expect it to happen so fast.
“To be honest this came as a surprise because I looked at players that I was competing with in that position and I never thought my name would come up. I would like to thank the Mamelodi Sundowns family for their support. I’m looking forward to this tournament to make a name for myself,” he said.
Maseko has had a great season with Sundowns and the highlight of 2023 was when Sundowns were crowned the continental champions. Bafana Bafana is drawn into a group alongside African powerhouses such as Namibia, Tunisia, and Mali in Group E.
Broos’ troops will kick-start their AFCON campaign against Mali on 16 January.
Kick-off time is 22:00.
