Mako is out to prove his all-star worth for club and country

CAPE TOWN ALL STARS’ fantastic run in the NFD has been rewarded with South African Under-23 call-ups for goalkeeper Kyle Peters and tricky midfielder Paseka Mako.

The fact that there are a number of high- profile young PSL stars like Rivaldo Coetzee, Keagan Dolly, Phakamani Mahlambi and Kwanda Mngonyama in the squad is a testament to the talent and form of the All Stars duo.

The Gugulethu-based club has made no secret of its ambitions to be promoted to the PSL and has certainly delivered on the field.

While the rest of the Cape clubs are struggling, All Stars are right in there and challeng- ing for the NFD title and automatic top-flight promotion.

Baroka FC set the pace with 24 points, followed by All Stars on 23 and Durban’s Royal Eagles on 21.

The other Mother City teams in the 16-team NFD have Milano United in ninth, with 14 points, Santos in 10th (13 points), Vasco da Gama in 13th (10 points) and FC Cape Town in 15th (eight points).

All Stars, though, have a huge fixture in Polokwane tomorrow afternoon when they face log-leaders Baroka. Victory for Dan Malesela’s men and no doubt the team from Gugulethu will be favourites for promotion.

Mako will again be influential, and the youngster is determined to prove that he’s worthy of his national call-up.

“My inclusion in the U23 squad feels great,” he said.

“It shows that my efforts at training are paying off and that my performance is rising.” NFD fixtures Today: Moroka Swallows v African Warriors; Witbank Spurs v Black Leopards; Thanda Royal Zulu v FC Cape Town; Vasco Da Gama v Highlands Park (Parow Park, 3.30pm); Royal Eagles v Milano United Tomorrow: Santos v AmaZulu (Athlone Stadium, 3.30pm); Baroka FC v Cape Town All Stars; Mbombela United v Mthatha Bucks