2023 AFCON raised South Africans’ profiles - Kopano Meso

Bafana bagged their first medal in 24 years at the continental showpiece as they finished third in Cote d’Ivoire, losing out on a place in the final to Nigeria only via a penalty shootout.

Melesi, who recently joined Saudi Pro League side Al Etiffaq as their Head of Performance, told SABC Sport that people now look at South Africa differently.

"The impact of the AFCON, we've see how Bafana has moved from a certain space to where we are right now, and you see players that are already in demand outside of South Africa because now people look at South African football with a different view," said Melesi.

"I've had a couple of people already, in the Gulf region – because Sundowns and Pirates were playing pre-season friendlies outside the country – call me and say, 'We're looking for this; we're looking for that; we're looking for that player from this team...'

"I'm like, but guys I told you about these players a long time ago and you were not willing to listen. But after the AFCON and everything that happened, everybody's now taking a chair and sitting and looking at what we have in the country.

"It even spirals down to coaching, and other people in the backroom staff, so that's good for the country, and I think we're moving in the right direction at the moment."

Melesi says he is confident his move to the Gulf will open more doors for his countrymen, but warned some South Africans will have to change their thinking.

"I think it's going to open more doors, but we just have to let go of the notion that we are not good enough – I got to see that first-hand when I got to Aspire [Academy], I was working with people from the UK, Spain, everywhere.

"And when I sat and looked around, I thought, but we [in South Africa] are not far off, it's just that we have this fear or imposter syndrome that comes with us as a nation."

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