PSL
Nomvethe's Bafana days over?
2011-10-19 07:33
Siyabonga Nomvethe (Gallo)
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Johannesburg - Moroka Swallows striker Siyabonga Nomvethe has all but given up hope of adding to his 79 caps for South Africa.
The 33-year-old, who continues to out-perform his younger peers
at club level, last pulled on a Bafana Bafana jersey in the 2010 Soccer World
Cup, as a substitute against France.
But despite having scored four goals in eight matches for the
Dube Birds this season, Nomvethe understands that national team boss
Pitso Mosimane is selecting players with an eye to the future.
Nomvethe told The Citizen: "I don't have hope any more, I mean the coach is doing well and so are the players.
"The last time I played for the national team was at the World
Cup and since then I was never called. Now my focus is to help the team
win things. I don't worry about a call-up now.
"So far I'm not challenging anything. I want to keep scoring
goals to help the team. I'm focusing more on helping the team than
winning individual awards.
"That will be a bonus if it comes, but for me it's to see the team doing well."
Nomvethe has also downplayed his side's chances of winning the
Premier Soccer League this term. Swallows are currently in third place,
just two points off league leaders SuperSport United and level on points
with Kaizer Chiefs.
He added: "We will see in the second round how we will perform,
right now we need to keep focus on collecting points. We must not think
ahead of winning the league as there are so many games still to be
played."
Swallows' next test is a Telkom Knockout first-round clash with
Mamelodi Sundowns and after losing 4-0 to the Brazilians in the league
this season, Nomvethe knows just how hard it will be to progress at the
expense of Johan Neeskens' side.
He concluded: "We respect Sundowns. They are a big team with quality players."