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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs left-back Tsepo Masilela is not holding any grudges despite being overlooked for selection for the national team.
Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba elected to call up young Platinum Stars left-back Luvo Mpeta to his latest national team squad with Mashaba's preferred choice, Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba, still suffering with an Achilles tendon injury.
With over 50 caps with the national team to his name and still just 29-years-old, there were many calls from pundits and fans for the in-form Amakhosi defender to be recalled to the national team to face Sudan and Nigeria later in November.
Asked if a recall to the national team is still a goal for the experienced left-back, Tsepo Masisela told Sport24, in an exclusive interview: "It's not playing on my mind."
"I'm just happy to be playing well at the moment and regularly for Chiefs.
"I think I had my chance. I had a fair chance, I was grateful to represent my country at the highest level including playing at the World Cup, the Confederations Cup and AFCON.
"You can't have the same players playing forever for Bafana and that is the reality."
Masilela remains extremely proud to represent his country and appears content in the realisation that he may never again don the national team jersey.
Masilela, being the consummate professional that he is, has put his feelings aside and is pleased for those in the national setup who are performing so well at the moment.
"They've done well and the side has gotten the results.
"The team is playing with lots of energy and they are always attacking, so credit must go to the coach and the guys that are currently there and doing well.
"I just hope that they continue to play well and qualify for AFCON 2015."
Mashaba is likely to persist with Sibusiso Khumalo, from SuperSport United, as his make shift left-back for the two remaining AFCON 2015 qualifiers.
Tsepo Masilela is one of just 23 players to represent South Africa in 50 or more international fixtures.
Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba elected to call up young Platinum Stars left-back Luvo Mpeta to his latest national team squad with Mashaba's preferred choice, Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba, still suffering with an Achilles tendon injury.
With over 50 caps with the national team to his name and still just 29-years-old, there were many calls from pundits and fans for the in-form Amakhosi defender to be recalled to the national team to face Sudan and Nigeria later in November.
Asked if a recall to the national team is still a goal for the experienced left-back, Tsepo Masisela told Sport24, in an exclusive interview: "It's not playing on my mind."
"I'm just happy to be playing well at the moment and regularly for Chiefs.
"I think I had my chance. I had a fair chance, I was grateful to represent my country at the highest level including playing at the World Cup, the Confederations Cup and AFCON.
"You can't have the same players playing forever for Bafana and that is the reality."
Masilela remains extremely proud to represent his country and appears content in the realisation that he may never again don the national team jersey.
Masilela, being the consummate professional that he is, has put his feelings aside and is pleased for those in the national setup who are performing so well at the moment.
"They've done well and the side has gotten the results.
"The team is playing with lots of energy and they are always attacking, so credit must go to the coach and the guys that are currently there and doing well.
"I just hope that they continue to play well and qualify for AFCON 2015."
Mashaba is likely to persist with Sibusiso Khumalo, from SuperSport United, as his make shift left-back for the two remaining AFCON 2015 qualifiers.
Tsepo Masilela is one of just 23 players to represent South Africa in 50 or more international fixtures.
