Tournament News
'I'm still one of the best'
2010-03-08 11:48
Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Brian Baloyi is not fazed by his failure to make the Bafana Bafana squad that is heading to Brazil on Sunday.
Carlos Alberto Parreira opted for Itumeleng Khune, Moeneeb Josephs
and Emille Baron in the goalkeeping department when he announced his
29-man squad in Durban.
Baloyi, who was part of the FIFA Confederations Cup last year, tells Football365.co.za that it is not the end of the road for him as far as goalkeeping berths are concerned.
"For as long as I'm playing I always see myself as one of the
best keepers in the country. I always see myself having a shot at the
national team," said the former Kaizer Chiefs goal minder.
"All I have to do is continue to play well for my club and the
most important thing in football is to remember that anything can
happen. Of course I feel I still have a chance."
The Alexandra-born keeper admits though, that for keepers, breaking into the squad is a daunting task.
"There is no headache there...we have always been blessed in
this department. We are spoilt for choice in the country as far as
keepers are concerned and now we have to make sure we maintain it for
years to come. The future looks bright for us, which is a good sign,"
'Spiderman' continued.
"It is not like the striking force, when Benni says 'I can't
come', then there is a problem. If one keeper says I don't want to play
for the country anymore, then it is no problem. But like I said we need
to maintain it, the fact that we have always been blessed in this
position."
Baloyi, who despite his obvious talent, has never played overseas and says he still hopes to fulfill that dream through Khune.
"I'm his fan and I'm his favourite keeper too.
"I see myself in him and it will be great for him that he moves
overseas straight after the World Cup. I know it is only his third
season in the PSL and I know that is a short time, but he's proven that
he is good enough to make it overseas. There are mistakes that we keep
seeing from him but he will learn.
"Seeing him play overseas will fulfill the dream that never came true for me...I can live my dream through him."