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Mokotjo turns back on Bafana career

Cape Town - FC Twente midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo has announced his decision not to honour any future Bafana Bafana call-ups.

The 25-year was recently called up to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Cameroon.

However, he was not included in the match-day squad for the first-leg in Limbe and warmed the bench for the return leg in Durban at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

At the post match press conference Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba was left irritated when he was asked about his decision to leave Mokotjo out of such an important match.

Mashaba said that "players select themselves" and he wished that he could allow the media into training sessions and see how the players train. 

Mokotjo took to his Instagram account detailing his reasons for turning his back on the national team.

"To all the die-hards of SA football, the people that spent their hard earned money to come and watch us, the supporters. I write this letter with a heavy heart. As you all know, I have for my entire and ongoing career devoted my life to the game of football - proudly representing the country at junior and senior national team levels," said Mokotjo.

"I have always supported the cause to improve our game in South Africa and ensure we do well in all competitions.

"I have gracefully honoured every call-up and always have given my best whenever presented with the chance to don the national team jersey.

"It is very unfortunate that current circumstances are not conducive to for me to break into the Bafana line-up and I respect the decisions of the technical team led by coach Shakes Mashaba.

"I hereby wish to notify you all that I will not honour the national team call-ups in the near future until circumstances change."

"I also wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my teammates - my fellow soldiers who have supported me throughout; trust me our paths will cross again.

"Thank you to my family, friends, members of the media, sponsors, coaches I've played under and all those that have backed me through these trying times. I'm optimistic that things will change and I will proudly wear the Bafana jersey again one day.

"I will continue working hard as a footballer and ensure that I improve my game so that I can one day be able to don the Bafana jersey with pride and represent the country in our quest to reclaim our number one position on the continent.

"Please respect the decision I have taken. It was not an easy one as I love my country with all of my heart. I will continue to be the number one fan of South African football for the rest of my life.

"Once again, endless gratitude to the South African Football Association for the opportunity and my fellow teammates for the times we've shared. It has been an honour and a dream come true representing my country."

To all the die hards of SA football, the people that spent their hard earned money to come watch us, the supporters. I write this letter with a heavy heart. As you all know, I have for my entire and ongoing career devoted my life to the game of football - proudly representing the country at junior and senior national team levels. I have always supported the cause to improve our game in South Africa and ensure we do well in all competitions. I have gracefully honoured every call up and always have given my best whenever presented with a chance to don the national team jersey. It is very unfortunate that current circumstances are not conducive for me to break into the Bafana line up and I respect the decisions of the technical team led by coach Shakes Mashaba. I hereby wish to notify you all that I will not honour the national team call ups in the near future until circumstances change. I also wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my teammates - my fellow soldiers who have supported me throughout, trust me our paths will cross again. Thank you to my family, friends, members of the media, sponsors, coaches I've played under and all those that have backed me through these trying times. I'm optimistic that things will change and I will proudly wear the Bafana jersey again one day. I will continue working hard as a footballer and ensure that I improve my game so I can one day be able to don the Bafana jersey with pride and represent the country in our quest to reclaim our number one position on the continent. Please respect the decision I have taken. It was not an easy one as I love my country with all of my heart. I will continue to be the number 1 fan of South African football for the rest of my life. Once again endless gratitude to the South African Football Association for the opportunity and my fellow teammates for the times we've shared. It's been an honour and a dream come true representing my country. Kamohelo Mokotjo ????????????????

A photo posted by Kamohelo Mokotjo (@kamoxmokotjo) on

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