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Cape Town - Coach Shakes Mashaba has never placed too much emphasis on the captaincy, promoting the idea that all members of Bafana Bafana should be leaders.
He has been rotating the armband throughout his tenure and especially since the tragic death of Senzo Meyiwa, and the latest leader is goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane, who captained Bafana in Friday's 3-1 win over Angola.
Mabokgwane has capitalised on Itumeleng Khune's knee injury, and while he has been fighting for a starting place at Mpumalanga Black Aces this season with Shu-Aib Walters, he looks certain to start Tuesday's second leg of Bafana's round two World Cup qualifier in Durban.
"I’m not new to the role. I’ve captained the junior national team and even the senior national team before at the COSAFA Cup," Mabokgwane said upon the team's arrival in Durban.
"It’s a role that I enjoy and I’m obviously honoured and thankful to the coach for the opportunity.
"I’m a motivated player and always looking to motivate the team. I enjoyed myself and I’m looking forward to more opportunities to captain the team and more victories as captain."
Mabokgwane is mindful that Mashaba likes to rotate captains, so he is prepared to play under somebody else at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
"The coach knows what kind of a leader he is looking for … it’s not necessarily about who you are and where you play. It’s important that we respect whoever he chooses," he said.
Bafana take a 3-1 lead into the second leg and will progress to the group stages of African World Cup qualifying should they emerge victorious.
Kick-off is at 19:00.
