South Africa’s bronze-medal-winning squad arrives home from the Ivory Coast on Wednesday and will have only a few days rest before they are available for action.
But just how many of them will be back on the field in their club colours after a fatigue-filled tournament remains to be seen.
The form of some will certainly have their clubs eager to get them into action sooner rather than later. But they must balance that with a need for rest.
These are the five stand-out players who competed at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and who are now heading back to DStv Premiership action.
TEBEHO MOKOENA
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder had a sterling tournament and attracted a lot of attention, although reports of European clubs flocking to buy him are exaggerated. Overseas clubs are rudely aware that the price for top South African players is steep and at 27 years old, the former SuperSport United product might not be as attractive a proposition as other similar talents in the marketplace.
That is all good news for local fans as Mokoena‘s form continues to come on in leaps and bounds, even since he was named the best player of the last DStv Premiership season. He will now be a key component as Sundowns head to yet another league title plus also look to win this season’s African Champions League.
RONWEN WILLIAMS
Voted best goalkeeper at the tournament, the 32-year-old Williams will be back sooner rather than later for Sundowns, even if he played all of their seven matches in the Ivory Coast. Williams’ four penalty shootout saves against Cape Verde Islands and two against the Democratic Republic of Congo were the major contributors to Bafana finishing with bronze medals.
The four saves against the Cape Verdians was one of the stand-out moments of the last month. He did have one horror moment in the third and fourth-place playoff against DR Congo but got away with dropping the ball out of the air and then emerged the hero as he made two saves to see South Africa onto the podium.
STANLEY NWABALI
Few Nigerians had ever heard of the giant Chippa United goalkeeper before he was selected and then even more surprised when he was drafted into goal. But Nwabali proved a real find for the Super Eagles, who long have had problems finding a reliable goalkeeper. He kept five successive clean sheets before Mokoena’s penalty in the semifinal and the two goals he conceded in the final against the Ivorians.
Along the way were some excellent saves and there were no moments of great concern about him being jittery or making mistakes. If he can keep it up, given his imposing size, Nwabali could have a much wider profile and therefore be in line for a move overseas, which could net Chippa some much-needed cash.
AUBREY MODIBA
The 28-year-old Modiba has a well-earned reputation for his attacking acumen but his defensive skills are what stood out in the Ivory Coast. He often made some key tackles for Bafana to save them in desperate situations, while always looking to play on the front foot. In tandem with Khuliso Mudau on the right, they were key components of the South Africa defence and attack.
There have been questions asked previously about Modiba’s tackling skills and possessional play when on the back foot, but there was little to fault him on as Bafana reached a first semifinal in almost a quarterfinal. He was under pressure to perform with clubmate Terrence Mashego's direct competition for his place, but Modiba started all seven games.
DEON HOTTO
The Orlando Pirates winger has been home for some time after Namibia’s elimination in the last-16 but he was their key player in the four games that he played for the Brave Warriors in what was their fourth appearance at a Cup of Nations finals.
Hotto had an outstanding game in Namibia’s group E opener against Tunisia in Korhogo and deservedly crowned it with the late winner that handed his country their first-ever win at the finals. He was also a menace in their match against Mali where they got an unexpected draw.