Chicago Fire winger Puso Dithejane scored his first goal for the South African national team during a 1-0 friendly victory over Egypt on October 4, 2026. The match took place at Cairo International Stadium, marking South Africa’s first win against Egypt since 2019.
The 22-year-old from Christiana, South Africa, joined the Fire in January as part of the Under-22 Initiative from PSL side TS Galaxy. His impressive performances in the months leading up to the match earned him his first call-up to the senior Bafana Bafana squad.
Dithejane joined the national team camp in Johannesburg for a series of matches that included two African Cup of Nations qualifiers and the friendly against Egypt. Although he did not play in the qualifiers, he started in the match against Egypt, where he made a significant impact.
In the 51st minute, Dithejane took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake, moving past center back Hossam Abdelmaguid before slotting the ball into an empty net. This goal ultimately secured South Africa’s victory in a match featuring experimental lineups.
Throughout the game, Dithejane had 30 touches while playing 77 minutes. He completed five of his ten pass attempts and created one chance during the match. Notably, he contributed defensively with three tackles.
After this international appearance, Dithejane is expected to face challenges in returning to his club. The Fire’s match against Vancouver is scheduled for Tuesday evening, but the player will need to travel approximately 6,500 miles (10,450 km) back to Chicago, making it unlikely he will participate in that game.
Dithejane’s goal in the friendly may improve his prospects for a future call-up, particularly as the national team prepares for the next international window in November. New head coach Pitso Mosimane is anticipated to include defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has recently returned from a long-term injury.
Next, Dithejane is expected to be back in action for the Chicago Fire when they host New York City FC next weekend.
