Doctor Khumalo backs Pitso Mosimane’s call to bring Puso Dithejane into Bafana Bafana squad

Bafana Bafana great Doctor Khumalo has welcomed Pitso Mosimane’s decision to select Chicago Fire winger Puso Dithejane, saying the 22-year-old is arriving in the national team at the best possible time.

Dithejane has been included in Mosimane’s squad for South Africa’s two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea. Bafana Bafana host Guinea this weekend before travelling to face Eritrea, with an international friendly against Egypt scheduled for next month.

The former TS Galaxy player has previously represented the national team at COSAFA Cup level, but his latest selection follows a strong run of form in Major League Soccer.

Dithejane has played 27 matches in all competitions for Chicago Fire, scoring five goals and supplying two assists. His performances have also given him the opportunity to play alongside some of the leading players in the world.

Khumalo said Dithejane’s growing confidence, strengthened by his experiences in the United States, made Mosimane’s timing particularly effective.

“I’ve just analysed Matthews and Puso is doing it outside South Africa,” Khumalo said on The DNA Podcast.

“He’s playing with top players. He just gave an assist to [Robert] Lewandowski. He shares the dressing room with Lewandowski, one of the top strikers in the world. And what does the majority say, his confidence.”

Khumalo believes the call-up will benefit Dithejane both internationally and at club level, particularly because the winger has been waiting for an opportunity to establish himself with Bafana Bafana.

“And you are bringing him to the national team. He’s been waiting for this moment and Pitso is finding him at his hottest form and bringing him home. There’s nothing as nice as getting a call-up when you are abroad,” he said.

“It elevates you even at your club they have respect for you. It changes the perception of how they perceive you.”

Dithejane has earned a reputation for causing problems for defenders with his direct style and attacking threat. Khumalo said that quality had led to a nickname commonly used in the township when the winger is performing at his best.

“That boy, he’s been scoring left, right, and naturally. He’s like a laxative pill. In the township they’d call him laxa pill because of how troublesome he is he’ll make you run up and down,” Khumalo added.