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Cape Town – Fagrie Lakay heaped praise on Shakes Mashaba after the 17-year-old broke the record for the youngest to don a Bafana Bafana jersey.
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According to safa.net website, the striker beat the record set by fellow Capetonian and Bafana Bafana defender Rivaldo Coetzee, who broke a long-standing by former Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena who was 18 years, two months, 26 days in a clash against Botswana in 1999.
The player has thanked Mashaba for his contribution in his young career.
“It was a great feeling because there are many 17-year-olds out there in our country, and I believe I am privileged to be the only one in that age group to make my Bafana Bafana debut, said Lakay.
“It really meant a lot and I would like to thank coach Shakes Mashaba because he played a major role in my footballing career and want to say thanks also for giving me this opportunity.”
Lakay tore the record books to shred when we he came on for Themba Zwane in the 76th minute of the 2014 Nelson Mandela Challenge against Cote d’Ivoire which South Africa won 2-0 on Sunday, 30 November at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
“Everyone did their best out there,” said Lakay.
“It was bit of a tough game in the beginning but I believe we could have scored more and Cote d’Ivoire is lucky it was 2-0 because it could have been more if we took all our chances.
“And this shows that no matter who takes field, everyone is happy to be part of the team to ensure that Bafana Bafana stays on top.”
The 17-year old Lakay, who turns 18 in May next year, is registered with Santos of Cape Town in the National First Division and is a key member of the South African Men’s U20 squad that recently qualified for the 2015 CAF African Youth Championship that will be played in Senegal.
It was Lakay’s two goals in the second leg in Polokwane that saw Amajita qualifier.
