SuperSport captain Bongani Khumalo (Gallo)

Related Links

• Moriri out of Bafana squad
• 'Bafana can win Confed Cup'
• Fernandez joins Bafana camp

Johannesburg - SuperSport United skipper Bongani Khumalo is determined to carry on with his winning form and attitude when Bafana Bafana get down to the business end at the Confederations Cup next month.

The 22-year-old Khumalo showed incredible maturity this season when United coach Gavin Hunt handed the hard tackling and quick thinking central defender the captain's armband midway through the PSL season after Ricardo Katza picked up a bad leg injury which sidelined him for most of the season.

Said Khumalo on Tuesday: "Gavin (Hunt) encouraged me to lead at the back when I was not the skipper. He said any player in my position must be able to lead and I was thrown into the deep end and loved every minute of it. It has helped me develop as a player. I have enjoyed the experience and the faith Gavin showed in me."

Khumalo was one of the youngest captain's to lead his side to the Absa Premiership title.

"Winning the PSL championship for the second year running and being captain this time was a fantastic experience for me. The credit goes to Gavin (Hunt). He takes no nonsense and is a tremendous coach with plenty of passion, which rubbed off onto the players over the past two seasons."

Khumalo is hoping to continue his defensive partnership with his friend Morgan Gould at Bafana level. The fact that Bafana head coach Joel Santana selected both United central defenders is testament to how well they combined and helped SuperSport regain the PSL crown.

"Morgan is a fantastic players and a dream to play with. We talk a lot on the pitch and that is good as we are friends off the field as well," said Khumalo.

Both Gould and Khumalo are the "rookies" in the Bafana squad with a handful of caps between them.

The well-spoken Khumalo is aware that it is going to be difficult to dislodge the two favourites for the central defensive berths in the Confederations Cup - national captain Aaron Mokoena, who joined English Premiership outfit Portsmouth this week, and Spanish-based Nasief Morris.

There is also Matthew Booth, a former Bafana skipper, challenging for a place at the heart of the defence.

Said Khumalo: "The competition for places is red hot but that motivates me. I am looking forward to Aaron and Nasief joining the camp soon as, no matter whether I make the cut or sit on the bench, I will have gained valuable experience by being in this camp."

Santana has a squad of 29, now that Surprise Moriri has withdrawn through injury, and it will be trimmed next Wednesday to 23 as per FIFA rules.

Bafana open their Confederations Cup programme against Asian champions Iraq on June 14.

Said Khumalo: "We all know how vital it is to win that opening match and set up a winning mentality for the competition. It is a huge challenge and the spirit in the camp is positive and the players are well prepared to rise to the occasion."