Sports

Data Analysis Signals Growing Exodus of South African Footballers to Overseas Clubs

By Steve Blues

A comprehensive study by data provider SkillCorner has revealed that South Africa's Premier Soccer League (PSL) is likely to see increasing interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) and European clubs, after the league ranked among the best in the world on a metric known as the Physicality Matrix. This measurement assesses a division's athletic level and playing style, allowing comparisons across leagues worldwide. While the English Premier League topped the rankings by a wide margin, the PSL was found to rank above MLS and was closing in on a spot among the global top ten. The analysis also showed that despite being ranked 65th overall on Opta's League Power Rankings, the PSL trailed only the English Premier League in a metric called Explosive Accelerations to High-Speed Run, which measures a player's ability to quickly transition from a stationary or slow state into high-speed running. Although physicality metrics alone do not define a complete player, they provide a baseline for assessing athletic potential, allowing clubs to identify PSL players with the raw attributes needed to succeed abroad when combined with technical skills such as passing accuracy, tackling and positioning. South Africa's participation in the 2026 World Cup, where the squad reached the knockout stages for the first time, drew global attention to local talent. Although several players were linked with moves to major European clubs, only a few, including Olwethu Makhanya's transfer to Rangers and Thapelo Maseko's move to Copenhagen, materialized. However, successful transitions by players such as Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aden McCarthy, Maseko, Ime Okon and Yusuf Maart suggest more South African players will move abroad in the future. Former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos previously said that local players need to be tested in tougher European leagues to help the national team progress. SkillCorner predicts that by 2030, more than half of the Bafana Bafana squad will be based overseas. Chicago Fire's Director of Football and Head Coach, Gregg Berhalter, who has signed South Africans Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Puso Dithejane, said he expects South Africa to become an important talent pipeline for MLS clubs. He noted that the PSL's quality and the availability of detailed player data set South Africa apart from other Sub-Saharan African leagues, giving clubs greater confidence when recruiting players. Berhalter praised Mbokazi's composure and game-reading ability, and highlighted Dithejane's technical quality and comfort in tight spaces. With Lyle Foster's move from Burnley to Houston Dynamo, five South African players are now playing in the United States, a number expected to rise. Beyond MLS, interest in PSL talent has grown elsewhere. Aden McCarthy left Kaizer Chiefs for Champions League side Sabah FC, Relebohile Mofokeng moved from Orlando Pirates to Belgium's Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, and RSC Charleroi signed Golden Arrows teenager Isaac Ismael Cisse. FC Copenhagen secured Thapelo Maseko from Mamelodi Sundowns for a reported €1.5 million (about R27 million). Bahraini club Al-Khaldiya signed Patrick Maswanganyi, while Sundowns defender Thato Sibiya moved to French club Lille. African clubs have also shown interest, with Peter Shalulile and Mohamed Doumbia joining Yanga, and Devin Titus and Tshegofatso Mabasa moving to MAS Fes. Analysts note that access to detailed player data through companies such as SkillCorner, TransferLab and Stats Perform is giving foreign clubs greater confidence when recruiting from the South African market. SkillCorner's analysis also identified additional PSL players likely to attract interest abroad, including Lamontville Golden Arrows defenders Ntandoyenkosi Mabaso and Eroine Agnikoi, both compared favorably to Mbokazi, as well as Siwelele FC winger Sphesihle Jeza, whose ability to receive the ball and create danger under pressure ranked in the top percentile in SkillCorner's Game Intelligence analysis. However, concerns have been raised about pricing potentially limiting future transfers. Matthew Moore, son of agent Rob Moore and representative of the Centre Circle agency, said on Metro FM's Sports Night Amplified that South African players may be priced too high for European moves. He noted that his agency facilitated 23 transfers to European clubs over the past five years, but only two involved fees exceeding one million euros (about R18.6 million). By comparison, Cape Town City is reportedly seeking that amount for 18-year-old Emile Witbooi, who has played only 45 minutes in the Betway Premiership, during the 2024/25 season in which the club was relegated.