After three SA players besides those from Mamelodi Sundowns - including Thembinkosi Lorch - got exposure at the Club World Cup, the next level for Mzansi players to aim for has been revealed.
South Africa was spoilt for familiarity at the FIFA Club World Cup, as apart from the South African contingent at Sundowns, Lorch, Cassius Mailula and Elias Mokwana were carrying the flag high with Wydad Casablanca and Esperance.
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There was a sense that Lorch, in particular, needed better quality around him, as he also stood out in Wydad's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The benefit of the exposure could help Bafana Bafana, as Mokwana also starred for Esperance, coming up against teams such as Flamengo, Los Angeles and Chelsea.
Could going to North Africa be attractive for PSL players going forward, given such displays?
"It's good. The more players can go out of the country, do well and (and go to) good clubs, not just any clubs, go to North Africa at some of these top clubs who play CAF Champions League," American club Lexington Sporting coach Kyle Timm, who is South African, shares with KickOff.com.
"Look, Lorch is now playing Club World Cup. This is a type of exposure that can only help us as a country when it comes to football. It's nice to see.
"This kind of exposure is what football is about. But for Sundowns players, if Sundowns is arguably the best club in Africa, what's the next step, you know?
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"We would all like to put on (UEFA) Champions League and somebody or multiple players from South Africa are playing. For me, that would be the ultimate target," added the former South African junior international.
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