2026 World Cup: Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross savour first Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana’s build-up to the World Cup has taken on a fresh dimension with first-time call-ups Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross expressing delight at breaking into the senior national team.

The duo, both uncapped at this level until now, have quickly become talking points in the squad as South Africa prepares for a demanding international campaign.

The pair spoke with visible pride and focus after being named in the final squad, describing the moment as both a personal milestone and a professional reward for years of persistence.

Makhanya’s American journey shaped by resilience

For Olwethu Makhanya, the call-up marks a significant step in a career that has already taken him beyond South Africa’s borders. The 22-year-old, who features for Major League Soccer side Philadelphia United, reflected on the emotional weight of the achievement.

“It’s a dream come true for me, and it’s a really big honour for me and my family to be part of the squad and to be able to represent the national team,” Makhanya said at a press conference in Sandton on Thursday.

Since departing Stellenbosch in July 2023, the left-footed centre-back has steadily grown into his role abroad after an initially difficult transition to life in the United States.

“When I left for the US, I was very young. I was away from home for the first time, and I was going through some stuff, but it was part of the journey. As you know, I started at the reserve team, and eventually I got the opportunity to play for the first team,” said Makhanya, a tactically gifted defender.

His rise through the ranks in MLS has been marked by patience, adaptation and increasing consistency, earning him recognition at international level.

Cross rewards persistence at Chiefs

Bradley Cross, meanwhile, arrives in the squad after a sustained push to convince the national team selectors of his readiness. The 25-year-old Kaizer Chiefs defender, capable of operating at left-back or in central defence, described his selection as the fulfilment of a long-standing ambition.

“This [being in the Bafana set-up] has definitely been a long-term goal for me,” Cross said. “I’ve made preliminary squads quite a few times, so I just told myself that I needed to work harder and prove to the coach that I am capable of being in the team.”

His versatility and work rate at club level have strengthened his case, with national team coach Hugo Broos rewarding his persistence with a maiden senior call-up.

World Cup preparation gathers pace

Both Makhanya and Cross are expected to feature in Bafana’s warm-up fixture against Nicaragua at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday at 6pm, offering an early opportunity to integrate into the squad’s tactical framework.

The team will depart for Mexico on Sunday as preparations intensify for their Group A campaign. South Africa opens its World Cup journey against hosts Mexico on June 11, with additional group fixtures against Czechia and South Korea.