Mamelodi Sundowns legend Lovers Mohlala has selected Bafana Bafana's best player in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
A 4-2 defeat at the hands of rivals, Nigeria, in a penalty shoot-outs saw South Africa's fairytale run come to an end.
Bafana will now compete for the third-place finish with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mohlala believes Themba Zwane was Bafana's best player at the AFCON.
"I think Mothobi Mvala, Grant Kekana, Themba Zwane, Teboho Mokoena, Siphephelo Sithole, Evidence Makgopa, and Ronwen Williams all played well, and Khuliso Mudau only came to the party against Morocco and on the last game, but they all played well," Mohlala tells KickOff.
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"But Zwane's been my best player. It's just that he rarely finishes a match, but he is still my best. I just don't understand why he is being substituted, according to me he is the best. The way he plays I end up asking myself how come can he be so good at his age? Why this didn't happen when he was 19?
"Zwane doesn't have respect for anyone, you can be Cristiano Ronaldo, you can be Lionel Messi, Zwane doesn't care. When he has the ball he has the ball, when he decides to make use of the ball he makes use of the ball. He can be quiet during a match but still produce a moment of brilliance. He is a magician.
"He is the main switch, once a main switch traps the whole team collapses. Not to undermine the other players I have mentioned, but for me, Zwane will remain the best. People compare him to Doctor Khumalo, but I always tell them these are different eras.
"Though people believe Doctor was the best, I always say in terms of comfort there is no player that is comfortable on the ball like Zwane. And I have never seen a footballer that is comfortable like Zwane. The philosophy that was used before is what prevented him from being selected for Bafana.
