Many ex- Bafana stars often complain of being neglected by the association and football fraternity that they served so well.
However, Edward Motale, who played with Mkhalele both in the national team and at Orlando Pirates, feels the national team's recent 3-2 win over Uganda proved their generation can add something to Bafana.
Mkhalele stood in for new head coach Hugo Broos, who returned to Belgium for a Covid-19 vaccination, while first assistant Cedomir Janevski sat out after testing positive for the virus before the match.
"I was excited. It shows and it's paving the way that people mustn't doubt us, because they are doubting us legends," Motale tells snl24.com/kickoff.
"So, at least Helman is going to pave they way for us. I mean, he was left by himself there. I think even the coach [Broos] can see he's got the right person to work with.
"With Helman, the players can understand him more because he relates quickly to them, language-wise and everything. I think that's what made it simple for him [against Uganda]."
Motale further admits he never took 'Midnight Express' for the kind of person who would make it in the coaching arena.
"I never thought he could go that route [of coaching], but it's good – he's doing well, not only for himself but also for us as legends, and also upcoming local coaches."