Kaizer Chiefs players Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro returned from National duty on Friday, 8 February 2013.

The ‘Afcon 7’ were welcomed back at The Village after participating in the Bafana Bafana’s campaign of the 29th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations South Africa 2013. The players didn’t hesitate to get into the swing of things and looked eager to return to Club football action.

Bafana Bafana played against Cape Verde, Angola and Morocco in the group stages before they were knocked out of the tournament by Mali via penalties (3-1) in the quarterfinals at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 2 February. Many pundits and authorities have hailed Bafana Bafana for the encouraging performance.

kaizerchiefs.com compiled Afcon 2013 report on Chiefs players:

Bafana Bafana 0-0 Cape Verde (19 January)

Itumeleng Khune, Reneilwe Letsholanyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Bernard Parker all started the game. Tshabalala (59’ T Serero) and Majoro (K Mphela 68’) were substituted off during the second half.

Bafana Bafana 2-0 Angola (23 January)

Itumeleng Khune, Tsepo Masilela and Bernard Parker Started the game while Reneilwe Letsholanyane (45’ M Mahlangu) and Lehlohonolo Majoro (57’ T Rantie) came on as a second half. Majoro scored the second goal of the win for Bafana Bafana.

Bafana Bafana 2-2 Morocco (27 January 2013)

Itumeleng Khune, Tsepo Masilela, Bernard Parker started the match and Parker (76’) was substituted for Reneilwe Letsholanyane in the second half of the drawn game.

Bafana Bafana 1-1 Mali (1-3 Mali won on penalties) (2 February 2013)

Itumeleng Khune, Tsepo Masilela, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Bernard Parker started the game while Lehlohonolo Majoro (41’ T Rantie) came on as a substitute in the first half of the game and Siphiwe Tshabalala (105’) replaced injured Bernard Parker in the extra time earning himself a 75th cap and he was the only scorer for Bafana Bafana during the penalties shootout..

During the tournament three Kaizer Chiefs players were honoured by the South African Football Association for reaching their 50-mark cap milestone – Siboniso Gaxa (54 caps), Itumeleng Khune (51 caps) and Bernard Parker (50 caps) before the trio went on to add further caps during the tournament. Itumeleng Khune was selected as Man of the Match for his exploits during the game against Morocco which ended in a 2-all draw to guarantee Bafana Bafana a safe passage to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

Kaizer Chiefs physio, Dave Milner reports that Khune, Masilela, Gaxa and Tshabalala returned to the Club without injuries while Letsholonyane suffered cramps in the last match. Majoro was assessed for the injury he incurred during the Angola game and Parker was assessed for a sprained ankle he sustained during the game against Mali – all were cleared to join their teammates for training while the medical team will continue to keep a close eye on them.

It is back to Reclaiming the Glory! For the ‘Afcon 7’.