Evidence of a soccer player: Magopa is active in the AFCON held in Ivory Coast
- Evidence Makgopa does not care about naysayers who believe he does not belong to the Bafana establishment.
- He has been a key cog in Bafana's Afcon quest as they prepare for the quarter-finals against Cape Verde.
- The lanky striker said he would give his “heart and soul” to head coach Hugo Bruce, who continued to believe in him.
- For more Afcon news, please visit News24 Africa Cup of Nations Zone.
Bafana Bafana striker Evidence Magopa is undaunted by public scrutiny and is determined to repay the trust placed in him by head coach Hugo Bruce.
The tall forward has quietly played a key role for Bafana in their African Cup of Nations campaign in Ivory Coast, but there are still many skeptics who question the Orlando Pirates striker's abilities.
He troubled defenders throughout the tournament, winning Bafana a penalty against Mali with a missed penalty by Percy Tau, alarming the Tunisian defenders with an assist for Themba Zwane against Namibia, and giving Bafana the lead with a clinical finish against Morocco. gave.
However, there are still those who think it would be better for someone else to lead the Bafana attack.
Makgopa was called up to the Bafana team for the first time under the Brus, replacing Molefi Ntseki as head coach, although the tall striker was still playing for Baroka.
Although his initial move to the Buccaneers was hampered by injuries, the former Baroka forward persevered, kept his faith and was able to successfully return to competition for Soweto Giants.
In the absence of Lyle Foster and Lebo Motiva, the 71-year-old Bruce has consistently supported his forwards and Makgopa is aware of who he is playing for, not just for Bafana, but for the Blues as well. I have no doubts whatsoever.
“You can't force someone to love you, you can't force someone to support you. I think I just have to accept who I am and play my own football,” Makgopa said. He spoke at a press conference ahead of Afcon's quarterly. The final match will be against Cape Verde.
“I have a coach who believes in me, a coach who called me.” [up to Bafana]. People were already saying, “Why this player?” So for the fact that the coach called me, I'm here to work, I'm here to play, and I put my heart and soul into him. I plan to dedicate it to you.
“I'm going to do whatever I have to do for my coach. He believes in me, so I have to show him that I can do it.” [perform well for the team]. I'm always motivated and nothing can shake me. ”
Makgopa will again lead Bafana's side against Cape Verde on Saturday night.
Kickoff is 22:00 (SA time).