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Mphela accepts Bafana snub

Johannesburg - Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mphela accepts that his poor goalscoring form cost him a spot in Gordon Igesund's Bafana Bafana squad.

According to the Football411.com website, South Africa host the Central African Republic at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday for their crucial Soccer World Cup qualifying clash.

However, Mphela will be rooting for his fellow countrymen from his arm-chair back home after Igesund's overlooked the Downs hitman from his 23-man squad.

The 28-year-old, who has scored 23 goals in 47 international appearances, believes his omission was warranted based on his lacklustre performances in front of goal for the Brazilians.

"I'm not bitter at all for being left out of the national team because I haven't really been scoring goals at club level and that is where it begins," he told The Sowetan.

"Once I start scoring regularly for my team, I'm confident I'll be considered for selection again.

"Apart from myself, Sundowns have a number of players who are performing very well in their respective positions and I think they deserve to be considered for the national team.

"The likes of Hlompho Kekana and Jabulani Shongwe have been impressive. I'm pretty sure they will be in the Bafana pool once Sundowns starts doing well."

However, Mphela's troubles inside the 18-yard area stretches back to the Africa Cup of Nations where he failed to find the back of the net, and was only compounded upon his return to Chloorkop.

But the man known as 'Killer' is confident that he will regain his eye for goal once Sundowns find their groove after the international break.

"It all boils down to composure in the box and a bit of luck sometimes. For instance, against Moroka Swallows and SuperSport United we missed opportunities we'd have easily scored on any other day," said Mphela.

"Once the team starts scoring, we will gain confidence to score more goals and things will become much easier."

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