Shaun Bartlett tips Mohau Nkota to chase down Bafana goal-scoring records

Bartlett's confidence is firmly placed in rising star Mohau Nkota.

Bartlett, who scored 28 goals for Bafana Bafana to sit second on the country's all-time scoring list behind Benni McCarthy's 31, says Nkota has the talent and mentality to one day top the charts, a feat no player has seriously threatened in nearly two decades.

Speaking at Bafana Bafana's AFCON send-off event organised by Castle Lager, Bartlett revealed that he has already issued a personal challenge to the young attacker.

"I told Mohau Nkota the other day that I want him to be the next player to score a brace for Bafana," Bartlett said.

"And after that, he must come for my record and then beat Benni's."

Bartlett, who last represented the national team in 2005, feels it is long overdue for a new generation of forwards to emerge as consistent scorers for the senior side.

"Two decades have passed. Someone should be getting close by now," he said.

"Bernard Parker came closest, then Katlego Mphela after him. But with the quality we have now, especially if Mohau stays injury-free and continues getting national team minutes, he absolutely has a chance to reach, or even pass, our tallies."

The former Charlton Athletic striker also highlighted the broader improvement in Bafana's attacking options, pointing to players such as Oswin Appollis, whose goals-to-games ratio has already caught the eye.

However, Bartlett believes Nkota stands out when it comes to long-term potential.

"When it comes to pure potential as a long-term scorer, Nkota has every tool," he added.

"He finds good positions, he's brave, and he wants to score. Now he just needs to keep building, and take up the challenge."