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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates left back Patrick Phungwayo revealed his goal of securing a place in Shakes Mashaba’s 23-man squad to compete in the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea next year, following his tremendous form in the 2014/15 Absa Premiership.
The 26-year-old defenders’ heroics in the colours of the Buccaneers has earned him a second national team cap in a 2-0 triumph over Ivory Coast in the Nelson Mandela challenge at the Mbombela stadium on Sunday.
The former Wits full back believes that securing a place at the next month continental showpiece would open the gates for him to move abroad.
“I’m not different from all players we have in the country,’’ Phungwayo told Sport24 in an exclusive interview.
“I also want to represent my country at the highest level.
“Every player wants that and there is no exception for me.
“But the competition is tough because everyone is raising their hand to the coach to show their commitment through their hard work.
“And the coach has the final say to as far as sections are concerned.
“Playing at an AFCON would be good for me and my career because it would be a perfect platform for me to show my talent and hopefully boost my chances of playing in the highest leagues in Europe.
“It’s not going to be an easy task but I will do all the hard work.”
Phungwayo had a tremendous game in defence for Mashaba’s men over the weekend.
It remains to be seen if the Alexander-born fullback will make a trip to West Africa in January.
The 26-year-old defenders’ heroics in the colours of the Buccaneers has earned him a second national team cap in a 2-0 triumph over Ivory Coast in the Nelson Mandela challenge at the Mbombela stadium on Sunday.
The former Wits full back believes that securing a place at the next month continental showpiece would open the gates for him to move abroad.
“I’m not different from all players we have in the country,’’ Phungwayo told Sport24 in an exclusive interview.
“I also want to represent my country at the highest level.
“Every player wants that and there is no exception for me.
“But the competition is tough because everyone is raising their hand to the coach to show their commitment through their hard work.
“And the coach has the final say to as far as sections are concerned.
“Playing at an AFCON would be good for me and my career because it would be a perfect platform for me to show my talent and hopefully boost my chances of playing in the highest leagues in Europe.
“It’s not going to be an easy task but I will do all the hard work.”
Phungwayo had a tremendous game in defence for Mashaba’s men over the weekend.
It remains to be seen if the Alexander-born fullback will make a trip to West Africa in January.
