Top locally based Bafana Bafana players have been valued between R7 million and R11 million, so when Burnley's Lyle Foster was valued at a staggering R590 million in comparison recently, questions were asked by agents in the South African football fraternity.
Elias Mokwana's move to Tunisian giants Esperance de Tunis cost approximately R7.5 million from Sekhukhune United, and Iqraam Rayners from Stellenbosch FC to Mamelodi Sundowns was around R10 million, according to reports.
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There have been further reports that another South African international, Oswin Appollis of Polokwane City, is linked with a move to Morocco or Tunisia at a very similar evaluation.
Of course with their Bafana teammate Foster playing in England, the going rate is expected to be higher there, particularly with the rand-pound currency exchange and the massive fees transfers are going for in Europe when compared to Africa. Nevertheless, PSL players who impress in South Africa can still be sold for big money in England later, even to the likes of Ipswich Town in the Premier League, the club that was linked to Foster.
Pontsho Madumo, the agent responsible for taking Mokwana to Tunisia, believes that most Bafana stars are undervalued because they are still playing in South Africa and also due to the nation's lower FIFA ranking compared to most European countries.
"I think they are undervalued. However with the national team getting better rankings and seeing more players move outside then things will change. However, the European market is bigger and there is even more backing from companies (to boost their income for purchases) that's why the prices are higher compared to Africa," Madumo told the Siya crew.
"In Africa it's mostly owners of the teams who fork out that money to buy players hence the negotiating prices are lower compared to Europe even for players of the same quality or at times when better. Have you seen how players move in Europe? For example Raheem Sterling. People understand football and that it is business where players are a bigger part of it. In Europe they really value players," Madumo observed.
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Meanwhile, another respected South African agent who represents players from top PSL clubs, indicated that one factor contributing to the "undervaluation" of Bafana stars is other agents.
"Yes, they are undervalued. This is also due to the incompetence of some agent's and our league club's don't have fully competent administrator's to assist in pricing and the value of players. But also, you find that local players are expected to be cheaper than foreign players who are of even less quality than the local players," said the agent who preferred not to be named.
"It's very unfortunate that a local player who is playing week in, week out is valued lower than a foreign player who sits on the bench. So, yes, our Bafana Bafana stars are undervalued and it's very painful. They deserve more and better from both the agents and the clubs," the agent added.
Foster's reported value of R590 million when he was linked to Ipswich recently is just one example of an estimated transfer fee in England. The South African agents are referring to the evaluation of any Bafana player who participates in the PSL where the expected transfer fees can be significantly lower. Historically, it's not a surprise when comparing transfer fees when players move within Africa, in contrast to players moving between clubs in Europe.
The agents' opinions on the "undervaluation" of certain Bafana stars is a multifaceted issue that involves market dynamics, and the overall perception of the value of players in South African domestic football. Looking forward, as the SA national team improves, their FIFA ranking improves and more players could potentially receive a higher evaluation, as agent Maduma noted.
