Morton responds to Bafana’s SOS
Midfielder cuts holiday short for Chan qualifier
Michael Morton was enjoying his end-ofseason holiday break when he got a national team call-up for Bafana Bafana’s Chan qualifier against Botswana on Saturday.
The game will take place at the Moruleng Stadium (3pm kickoff).
The SuperSport United midfielder wasted no time and cut short his holiday to replace teammate Teboho Mokoena, who had been recalled by the club.
“We were on holiday in Zanzibar because SuperSport had given us only 10 days’ holidays so we went down there to get some down time. But when the call came we were quick to change flights and head back, so it’s worth it,” said Morton, who arrived in camp on Monday.
“It’s amazing, it is always wonderful to get a call-up to Bafana. It means everything for every player to put on the South African jersey. It is almost like the highlight of your career. Every time it happens, it is something you remember, it is something you will keep for the rest of your life so I am extremely happy.”
Morton is no stranger to Bafana.
He last featured in October 2015 when Bafana faced Angola in a two-legged Chan qualifier that South Africa lost.
“Similar circumstances – back in the Chan again but pretty much a full calendar, so I am very excited to be here,” he said.
Morton is proud of the work done by his compatriots in the 2-0 away victory over Botswana in the first leg at the weekend.
“The guys did very well in the first leg, we just need to wrap it up at home. We want to win the game, but proceeding to the next round is the most important thing,” he said.
This time around Morton is reunited with his former club coach Stuart Baxter.
“It doesn’t even feel like a former coach because he was coaching us about three weeks ago, so it is weird to think of it like that. His ways are very familiar and something I should be able to take on easily.”