Elias Mokwana: Who Is the Bafana Bafana Winger Kaizer Chiefs Want to Sign?

So Elias Mokwana is trending in South Africa, and the reason is Kaizer Chiefs. Reports say Chiefs are closing in on signing the Bafana Bafana winger, who has been a free agent since he left Espérance de Tunis in September. Chiefs fans are excited, but a lot of people are asking, who is this guy exactly, because he left the PSL two years ago. So let me explain.

Quick facts

• Full name: Elias Sepho Mokwana
• Born: 8 September 1999, in KwaMhlanga, South Africa
• Position: Winger
• Height: 1.76 m
• Former clubs: Platinum City Rovers, Sekhukhune United, Espérance de Tunis, Al-Hazem (loan)
• Country: South Africa (Bafana Bafana)
• Current status: Free agent, linked with Kaizer Chiefs

Starting late

He was not one of those players who came through a big academy. He was playing in the National First Division for Platinum City Rovers, the second tier, around 2021. That is not where people usually look for future Bafana players. But he did well enough there, 22 games and three goals, that a top flight club came for him.

Sekhukhune United

In May 2022 Sekhukhune United signed him on a three-year deal, and this is where South African fans really got to know him. He played over 50 games for Babina Noko and became one of the most exciting wingers in the league. He is quick, he dribbles, and he is not shy to run straight at a defender.

When he left in 2024, his coach at Sekhukhune, Peter Hyballa, said publicly that he was sad to see him go. Ex-Jomo Cosmos player Mark Haskins said recently on SABC that he was “fantastic at Sekhukhune” and he was shocked none of the big local clubs went for him back then.

What kind of player he is

If you have not watched him, think of a proper old school winger. He likes the ball at his feet, he wants to go one on one, and he can play on either side. He is not the tallest, but he is strong on the ball for his size and he can go past people from a standing start.

Coaches have also used him a bit further inside, behind the striker, because he can pick a pass and he does not panic in tight spaces. The criticism you hear is that his final ball and his goal numbers could be better, five goals in about 51 games for Sekhukhune is not a lot for a winger. But the stuff you cannot teach, the pace and the confidence, he has that.

Going abroad

In August 2024 he signed a three-year contract with Espérance de Tunis, one of the biggest clubs in North Africa. That is a serious move. Tunis is a hard place to play, the fans are demanding and the club expects to win everything.

He was part of their squad for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in 2025, which is something most PSL players never get to experience. Then in August 2025 Espérance loaned him to Al-Hazem in the Saudi Pro League, with an option to buy. He played over 20 league games for them.

In September this year he and Espérance went their separate ways, and since then he has been without a club.

Bafana Bafana

He has been part of the national team since 2023. He scored his first goal for South Africa against Andorra in March 2024, in the FIFA Series in Algeria, and then got the goal against Congo in Brazzaville in October 2024 in AFCON qualifying.

In December 2025 Hugo Broos named him in the final squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. By then he had won 12 caps and scored twice.

Career timeline

• 1999: Born in KwaMhlanga
• 2021: Plays for Platinum City Rovers in the First Division
• 2022: Joins Sekhukhune United
• 2023: First call up for Bafana Bafana
• 2024: First international goal, then moves to Espérance de Tunis
• 2025: FIFA Club World Cup with Espérance, loan to Al-Hazem, AFCON squad
• 2026: Leaves Espérance, linked with Kaizer Chiefs

What Khune said

Part of why this story blew up is Itumeleng Khune. The former Chiefs captain told SABC Sport last week that Chiefs should sign him, and he compared him to Jabu “Shuffle” Mahlangu, which is a big compliment if you know Chiefs history.

“Mokwana reminds me of Jabu Shuffle back then because he is very skilful and he is not afraid to take on his defender,” Khune said. He added that he can create and score, and that his experience on the continent could help the young players at the club.

SABC journalist Mazola Molefe also reported that Mokwana was offered to Chiefs after a move to Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco fell through. Now Soccer Laduma says Chiefs are closing in. Nothing has been announced by the club yet, so for now it is still talk.

Would it work

Honestly, it makes sense for both sides. Chiefs need players who can win games on their own, and coach Fernando Da Cruz is under pressure after the derby loss. A free agent with Bafana caps, North African experience and Club World Cup minutes is not something you find every day.

For Mokwana, coming home to one of the biggest clubs in the country would be a chance to reset and get back into the Bafana picture. He is 27, so this is the time.

We will update this page if Chiefs confirm the deal.