Maema embracing Bafana Bafana challenge ahead of CHAN return

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Neo Maema is hoping the African Nations Championship (CHAN) will offer Bafana Bafana a chance to break new ground after more than a decade of absence from the continental tournament.

Maema, who captained South Africa during a number of crucial CHAN qualifiers earlier this year, is expected to retain a central role in the squad for the tournament finals. Notably, he remains one of the few players in the current team still under contract with a Premier Soccer League club.

The midfielder's standout displays during the CHAN qualifiers helped him win back the confidence of Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, whose midfield options are among the strongest in the league. His timely return to form saw him earn more minutes at club level.

Despite being linked with a move away from Chloorkop in recent weeks, no deal has been finalised, and Maema now appears set to use the CHAN platform to ensure a smooth transition back into the rhythm of competitive football.

Speaking after Bafana’s 1–1 draw with Angola at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday, the 29-year-old midfielder expressed his pride in representing his country and looked ahead with optimism.

“It is an opportunity and an honor to represent the country,” Maema said.

“It’s a proud moment and a massive achievement for us to get to this position, and it’s a tournament we haven’t participated on in such a long time, and the only thing that will matter is us making sure we put the national team in a good position to be ready for the tournament.

“This will be a huge one because it has been 12 years since we last represented the country at such a competition and we should be excited as a group of players.

“As an individual I am happy to lead the team in such a big competition, we are honored and privileged to be in this position.”

Maema will be joined in the squad by teammates Malibongwe Khoza and Terrence Mashego, and believes that their shared club experience could provide the team with an added advantage in terms of chemistry and understanding.

“It does help,” Maema continued.

“The only thing I can say about the players that are familiar to me is that, they have the winning mentality to help the other guys, but we are professionals and we know what to do and we know what is at stake.

“It’s just about helping the technical team so that they can also help us to form a team that will be able to compete at such a big tournament.”

Given the timing of the tournament—immediately following the pre-season window—many players in the CHAN squad arrived without clubs, meaning they may lack full fitness. 

Maema believes that unity and collective effort will be vital in building momentum before the first game.

“We just need a bit of time, we have a week left before we start our first game,” he continued.

“We will just go back to the drawing board, today we played a draw, we will help each other. Most of us we are not match fit, we can just help each other to train and push each other to make sure that in every department we (are ready to) help each other.

“It is very difficult not to have a pre-season and go into a tournament that is going to demand so much from us, we should just maintain spirits of brotherhood and ensure we are together in this.”