French football legend Thierry Henry has revealed that former Bafana Bafana star Doctor Khumalo was his favourite South African footballer when he watched the national team during his playing days.

Henry made the revelation during an interview with SuperSport TV, where he was asked about South African football and the players who impressed him throughout his career.

Although the former Arsenal and Barcelona forward admitted that he does not currently have a favourite South African player, he fondly remembered the generation that represented the country during the 1990s.

Henry specifically mentioned the historic Bafana Bafana team that won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. The squad featured several respected names, including Phil Masinga, Mark Fish and Lucas Radebe, who helped South Africa achieve one of the biggest milestones in its football history.

However, among those players, it was Doctor Khumalo who particularly caught Henry's attention.

"I don't have a favourite South African player at the moment because to reach that level, you need years and years and years, but the one that I always used to like when I used to watch players in my time, because I played against that team that won the Africa Cup of Nations [in 1996]," Henry told SuperSport TV.

He continued by mentioning some of the famous players from that generation before explaining his admiration for the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder.

"You all know the team; the [Phil] Masinga, [Mark] Fish, Radebe, but Doctor Khumalo was the player that I used to like with the way he played the game," he added.

Khumalo remains one of the most celebrated figures in South African football. Renowned for his technical ability, creativity and vision, he played an important role in Bafana Bafana's rise during the 1990s.

His contribution to the national team was particularly memorable during the 1996 AFCON tournament, when South Africa lifted the continental trophy in front of their home supporters.

Henry's comments offer another reminder of the respect that generation of South African footballers earned beyond the country's borders. For Khumalo, receiving recognition from a former world-class attacker is another special moment in a career that left a lasting mark on the game.

The Frenchman's choice is also likely to bring back memories for South African supporters who witnessed Doctor Khumalo's brilliance during one of the most celebrated periods in Bafana Bafana history.

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