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Dolly gets ex-Bafana star's backing

Cape Town - Former Bafana Bafana striker Mark Williams has backed Ajax Cape Town midfielder Keagan Dolly to achieve success with the national team.

The 48-year-old's name will forever be etched in the South African history books, after he netted a memorable brace for Bafana to seal victory against Tunisia in the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations final.

In an interview with Soccer Laduma, the former Hellenic marksman spoke about his difficulties breaking into the national team, because he was from a less glamorous outfit.

"You must understand that coming from Cape Town and playing for Bafana at the time was very difficult," Williams said.

"It was only through sheer luck that you'd be part of the national team because usually it was players from Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns who were selected.

"If you played for the big teams, you were almost guaranteed a spot in the national team. For me, playing for Hellenic and being a Bafana player was good, but at the same time I also wanted to make sure that I stayed there and cemented my name in the team. I had nerves, but didn't show them."

Williams praised Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba for showing faith in 17-year-old Ajax centre-back Rivaldo Coetzee and encouraged his club-mate Dolly to be ready when his turn comes to add to his two caps.

"There's a place and time and you must have patience," he added.

"For example, I think Keagan Dolly will get there. He must just work on his game and he'll get there one day."

The University of Pretoria host Dolly and his Ajax Cape Town teammates in PSL action on Wednesday evening. The match at the Tuks Stadium kicks off at 19:30. 

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