Publications
Partners
Durban - Bafana Bafana and Platinum Stars striker Siphelele Mthembu intends to cement his place in the national team after taking part in last week’s trip to Australasia.
The 26-year-old goal-poacher earned his second call-up to the Bafana team following his outstanding performance in the colours of Dikwena last season, grabbing five league goals and also playing a significant role in guiding the North West Tycoons to a cup double.
Stars won the MTN8 competition and the Telkom Knockout Cup, beating Mthembu’s former team, Orlando Pirates, in both finals during the early stages of the campaign to break a six-year cup drought.
Speaking exclusively to Sport24 on Monday, “Shaka Zulu” revealed his national team ambitions.
“I want to make a mark for myself in the national team,” said Mthembu.
“It was a very good and motivational experience to go overseas with Bafana Bafana.
“To be honest, I was happy to play but I was not satisfied to play the little amount of time I played as we all saw that I came on as a substitute in both games.
“But I must say that I enjoyed every moment at the training sessions and every minute I played in the two games."
Bafana played to a 1-all draw against Australia in Sydney last Monday and also encountered a goalless stalemate against New Zealand in Auckland last Friday.
As the country awaits SAFA’s announcement regarding head coach Gordon Igesund’s future, the former Pirates forward said to him it wouldn’t matter who’s in charge of the senior team.
His main objective is to continue working hard to earn praise from the selected man to take Bafana forward, should Igesund lose his job.
“To me it doesn’t matter who will be in charge.
“It could still be Gordon (Igesund) in charge or someone else.
“But my main aim from now is to continue working hard so that I could earn my place in the national team.
“It’s everyone’s dream to represent their country.
“It all starts from childhood so it is the case with me too,” added Mthembu.
Bafana players and the country at large will hear the news of Igesund’s fate later on Monday.
The 26-year-old goal-poacher earned his second call-up to the Bafana team following his outstanding performance in the colours of Dikwena last season, grabbing five league goals and also playing a significant role in guiding the North West Tycoons to a cup double.
Stars won the MTN8 competition and the Telkom Knockout Cup, beating Mthembu’s former team, Orlando Pirates, in both finals during the early stages of the campaign to break a six-year cup drought.
Speaking exclusively to Sport24 on Monday, “Shaka Zulu” revealed his national team ambitions.
“I want to make a mark for myself in the national team,” said Mthembu.
“It was a very good and motivational experience to go overseas with Bafana Bafana.
“To be honest, I was happy to play but I was not satisfied to play the little amount of time I played as we all saw that I came on as a substitute in both games.
“But I must say that I enjoyed every moment at the training sessions and every minute I played in the two games."
Bafana played to a 1-all draw against Australia in Sydney last Monday and also encountered a goalless stalemate against New Zealand in Auckland last Friday.
As the country awaits SAFA’s announcement regarding head coach Gordon Igesund’s future, the former Pirates forward said to him it wouldn’t matter who’s in charge of the senior team.
His main objective is to continue working hard to earn praise from the selected man to take Bafana forward, should Igesund lose his job.
“To me it doesn’t matter who will be in charge.
“It could still be Gordon (Igesund) in charge or someone else.
“But my main aim from now is to continue working hard so that I could earn my place in the national team.
“It’s everyone’s dream to represent their country.
“It all starts from childhood so it is the case with me too,” added Mthembu.
Bafana players and the country at large will hear the news of Igesund’s fate later on Monday.
