Scara out to make a statement
PROUD: PHOHLONGO SET TO IMPRESS He’s been to one World Cup, now he wants another.
With Bafana Bafana’s Caf Championship of Nations (Chan) qualifying campaign hit by snags, Ajax Cape Town’s attacker Masilake “Scara” Phohlongo is just happy to live his dream of donning the colours of the national football team.
Bafana play Zambia in backto-back qualifiers, starting with a match at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Saturday while the return leg is in Zambia a week later. The winners will go to the Chan finals in Kenya early next year.
The 20-year-old was among the initial 25-man squad announced by Bafana assistant coach Thabo Senong – who has been charged with guiding the team through the Chan qualifiers while senior coach Stuart Baxter focuses on preparations for the Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
Ten players were last week recalled by their respective teams who are preparing for the upcoming Premier Soccer League season.
AmaZulu, Highlands Park, SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates have all recalled their players – Boalefa Pule, Ayabulela Konqobe, Michael Morton, Mothobi Mvala, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Denwin Farmer, Cole Alexander, Teboho Mokoena and Tercious Malepe – while Riyaad Norodien is out injured.
Safa are set to announce their replacements at a press conference this morning.
Phohlongo – who was part of the national Under-20 Fifa World Cup squad – said he was excited at the chance and would be doing his best to ensure he leaves a lasting impression.
“I was not part of the team in the last camp but I am happy to have been included in the squad for the upcoming qualifiers. It is a big occasion. I am proud and excited to represent my country, family and club at national level,” he said.
He added: “It’s a dream come true for me … everyone who was at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in South Korea recently talked about graduating to the Bafana Bafana team and for it to happen … it is a big thing for me – a dream come true.”