KAIZER Chiefs’ expected signing of Elias Mokwana comes at an interesting time for the Soweto club. While Amakhosi are looking to strengthen their attack, they are also facing questions about their limited representation in the latest Bafana Bafana squad.

The former Sekhukhune United winger has already made his mark at international level, with 11 caps and two goals for South Africa. His anticipated return to the Betway Premiership could give him an opportunity to revive his national-team career — while offering Chiefs a player with experience beyond domestic football.

The proposed move is at an advanced stage, according to SABC Sport, which reported on Tuesday that Chiefs and Mokwana had agreed personal terms. The deal still needs to be finalised, however, and is subject to the 27-year-old passing a medical.

Mokwana has been a free agent since September, when he and Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis mutually agreed to end his contract.

That player was midfielder Lebohang Maboe.

Mamelodi Sundowns supplied 13 players, while Orlando Pirates had seven names in the preliminary selection. Sundowns’ representation was the highest among the local clubs, with the same number of players based abroad also included.

The figures have prompted questions about Chiefs’ standing in the national-team picture. They do not, on their own, establish that Amakhosi players have been overlooked, but they do underline the difference in representation between the three clubs.

Chiefs’ current league campaign provides some context. They sit at fifth spot on the Betway Premiership table after nine matches, with three wins and 14 points. Sundowns occupy top spot with 26 points from 10 matches, while Pirates are second with 25 points from nine games.

Chiefs also suffered a 2-1 defeat to Pirates in the Soweto derby this past weekend.

It is reasonable to ask whether the club’s results and the performances of its players have influenced their limited representation. However, national-team selection involves individual form, positional competition and the coach’s plans. 

All I am saying is that the preliminary squad figures alone cannot settle that debate.

His route to the national side began to gather momentum at Sekhukhune United, where his pace and direct approach attracted attention. He moved to Espérance in August 2024, joining one of Tunisia’s leading clubs and taking his career beyond South Africa.

The winger made 38 appearances for the Tunisian side, scoring seven goals and providing four assists across all competitions, according to reports. He helped the club to domestic silverware, but his time there did not unfold as he had hoped.

In December 2025, while preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations, Mokwana spoke candidly about the difficult period.

“I think I did lose some hope at some point,” he said in an interview with The Sowetan.

He credited Al-Hazem coach Jalel Kadri with helping him through that period, explaining that the coach worked with him in additional training sessions and continued to encourage him.

“He always believed in me, and he told me that I would get back into the team. It wasn’t easy at first. As you all know, when I got to Esperance, things didn’t go as I expected.”

Mokwana spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Saudi Arabian side Al-Hazem, making 26 appearances, scoring once and registering three assists. He later returned to Espérance before the parties agreed to terminate his contract.

His pace, ability to take on defenders and experience in different leagues could give coach Fernando Da Cruz another option in attack. For Mokwana, a return to the PSL would provide a familiar environment in which to establish himself again and make a case for international selection.

He was not included in Bafana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite having been part of the team that went to the previous Africa Cup of Nations. A successful spell at Chiefs could put him back into contention, although selection will depend on his performances and Mosimane’s requirements.

There is a wider question for Amakhosi, too. If they want to see more of their players in the national team, they will need individuals to produce the kind of consistent performances that make selection difficult to ignore.

Mokwana cannot solve that issue on his own. But his expected arrival gives Chiefs a player who knows what it takes to wear the Bafana shirt — and who will have his own reasons for wanting to do so again.