Ethan Brooks may be only 21 years old, but will be the most experienced player for Bafana Bafana at the 2022 Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup 2022 as they get their campaign under way with a quarterfinal against Mozambique on Wednesday.
Brooks was one of the stars for the side as they lifted the 2021 title and continued to represent Bafana in the Fifa World Cup qualifiers, but will be missing for the clash against The Mambas with a minor knee injury that should see him appear later in the tournament.
He now has 11 caps, comfortably the most of any player in the squad this year, which will be led by national team assistant coach Helman Mkhalele with one eye on the CAF Under-23 Cup of Nations qualifiers set for September.
“What worked for last year’s group is that we all had a winner’s mindset and that is what helped us clinch the title,” Brooks said. “This current group of players share the same mindset and desire too, and I believe we will do well there.”
Mozambique will be a tricky opponent, though Bafana defeated them 3-0 in last year’s semifinals at the competition staged in Gqeberha.
“It was a great experience for me, last year was great for me, guys who were older than me I got to learn a lot from them and the tournament itself,” Brooks said.
“Going into this one, I’ve got guys my age and it’s also going to be a great experience for them as well – learning a lot. We’re going to play against guys bigger, much older than us but it’s going to be a great experience for us as well.
“Personally, I’d like to score, that’s one achievement I’ve been wanting in the league, but something also I want to achieve in the COSAFA Cup tournament.”
For Brooks, who recently made the switch from TS Galaxy to Durban side AmaZulu, the goal is clear.
“I one day want to represent South Africa in an Afcon tournament and then play in the Fifa World Cup tournament,” he says.