Dithejane joins select group after scoring on Bafana Bafana debut

Puso Dithejane has become the latest South Africa player to score on his official Bafana Bafana debut after finding the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Cairo on Sunday.

The forward took advantage of a mistake by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir to settle the match and add his name to a small group of players who have scored for South Africa in their first senior international appearance.

Dithejane’s goal continues a recent run of debut success for Bafana Bafana players. Thalente Mbatha was the previous player to achieve the feat, scoring a late equaliser against Uganda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in September 2024.

Elias Mokwana also scored on his first appearance for South Africa earlier in 2024. He was on target against Andorra as the teams drew 1-1 during the FIFA Series in Algeria.

Evidence Makgopa made an even larger impact when he made his senior international debut against Uganda in June 2021. The striker scored twice, helping Bafana Bafana to a 3-2 victory.

Before Makgopa, Lebo Mothiba marked his first appearance for South Africa with a goal against Angola in March 2018.

Mpho Makola had earlier joined the list by scoring the winning goal against Senegal in September 2015.

The six players are:

– Puso Dithejane – Egypt, Sunday – Thalente Mbatha – Uganda, September 2024 – Elias Mokwana – Andorra, 2024 – Evidence Makgopa – Uganda, June 2021 – Lebo Mothiba – Angola, March 2018 – Mpho Makola – Senegal, September 2015

Makgopa is the only player among them to score twice on his official debut for Bafana Bafana.

The list does not include the most recent players who scored on their COSAFA Cup debuts. The players featured here are those who found the net in official senior appearances for South Africa.

Dithejane’s goal in Cairo therefore places him alongside five other Bafana Bafana players who made an immediate mark at international level.