Much-maligned Bafana Bafana striker Evidence Makgopa has spoken out as they are going to face Cape Verde in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match at the Charles Konan-Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, on Saturday evening.
The Orlando Pirates forward was heavily criticised for failing to score goals during the group stages. He, however, atoned for that as he netted Bafana’s first goal when they beat Morocco’s Atlas Lions 2-0 in the last-16.
“You cannot force someone to love you. You cannot force someone to support you. For me, I think I just have to take it the way it is, play my football. I have a coach who believes in me, the coach who called me up to Bafana, the people were already saying why this player? So, for the fact that the coach called me, I am here to do a job. I’m here to play and I’m going play my whole heart for him,” Makgopa said.
Makgopa, formerly with Baroka FC who are now campaigning in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC), is expected to spearhead Bafana’s attack against the Blue Sharks.
“I am going to do whatever I have to do for the coach because he believes in me. So, I have to show him I can do it. I’m always motivated, there’s nothing that can shake me,” he said.
