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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates midfielder Oupa Manyisa believes he is ready for a Bafana Bafana call-up following his sparkling displays for Bucs.
The diminutive 22-year-old has forced his way into Ruud Krol's preferred starting line-up and has already made 15 appearances this season compared to just two last year.
And with his partnership with 20-year-old Andile Jali flourishing, Manyisa hopes to follow his club-mate into national contention.
"I believe I am ready now," he told Football365.co.za.
"But the person who decides whether you get a call-up is Pitso (coach Mosimane). It would be a big thing for me to play for my country because I have played at all youth levels before and I would like to see myself representing Bafana Bafana."
Pirates' recent 3-0 defeat at Ajax Cape Town was the first time this season the young star has been on the losing side in the PSL.
But Saturday's Nedbank Cup last 16 clash with NFD side FC United is a great opportunity for Bucs to put that disappointment behind them and Manyisa admits it is crucial they get a victory.
"We have to keep our heads up and try to recover as quickly as possible after the Ajax match. That was just part of the game but I have the self-belief that we can come back," he said.
"It would be a big thing for us to win the Nedbank Cup and that's what we all want. We can't think about anything else other than our next game but if we can go all the way in this competition then I think the league will follow."
Manyisa has been played out of position at right-back in the past by Krol but he believes that has improved his all-round game.
"It helped a lot. Now I know that you have to track back to defend and help the team and when you get the ball back, that's when you can go forward. When I started, I think I was a bit too worried about attacking all the time and the coach wanted me to learn," he added.
"I can say I'm very happy because that is what I like in life - playing football. I just need to keep working hard to stay in the team. It took a long time for my chance to come and I had to be very patient but I tried to take it with both hands."
The diminutive 22-year-old has forced his way into Ruud Krol's preferred starting line-up and has already made 15 appearances this season compared to just two last year.
And with his partnership with 20-year-old Andile Jali flourishing, Manyisa hopes to follow his club-mate into national contention.
"I believe I am ready now," he told Football365.co.za.
"But the person who decides whether you get a call-up is Pitso (coach Mosimane). It would be a big thing for me to play for my country because I have played at all youth levels before and I would like to see myself representing Bafana Bafana."
Pirates' recent 3-0 defeat at Ajax Cape Town was the first time this season the young star has been on the losing side in the PSL.
But Saturday's Nedbank Cup last 16 clash with NFD side FC United is a great opportunity for Bucs to put that disappointment behind them and Manyisa admits it is crucial they get a victory.
"We have to keep our heads up and try to recover as quickly as possible after the Ajax match. That was just part of the game but I have the self-belief that we can come back," he said.
"It would be a big thing for us to win the Nedbank Cup and that's what we all want. We can't think about anything else other than our next game but if we can go all the way in this competition then I think the league will follow."
Manyisa has been played out of position at right-back in the past by Krol but he believes that has improved his all-round game.
"It helped a lot. Now I know that you have to track back to defend and help the team and when you get the ball back, that's when you can go forward. When I started, I think I was a bit too worried about attacking all the time and the coach wanted me to learn," he added.
"I can say I'm very happy because that is what I like in life - playing football. I just need to keep working hard to stay in the team. It took a long time for my chance to come and I had to be very patient but I tried to take it with both hands."
