Singh happy to be back

Bafana Bafana striker Luther Singh says he’s grateful for the opportunity of being surrounded by experienced players and contributing to the senior national team after his recent call- up ahead of the back- to- back international friendly matches.

The last time Singh was part of the Bafana set- up was 16 months ago. Nonetheless, he hasn’t been completely out of the picture, having played an integral role in the Under23 team qualifying for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The 23- year- old striker made his comeback to the Bafana structures after he was called up to the squad that will clash with southern region neighbours Namibia and Zambia in back- to- back friendly matches at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium tomorrow and Sunday respectively.

“It’s always an honour and privilege for me to represent my country, regardless of the age group,” Singh said. “It feels good to be back in the national team after a long time and once again, I am grateful for the opportunity that I got.”

Singh is currently in the books of Portuguese top- tier outfit FC Paços de Ferreira, where he’s on loan from SC Braga.

However, his involvement in the Bafana set- up is part of an integration plan of young blood by coach Molefi Ntseki to the senior national team as they gear up for a congested 2021.

Come 2021, the South Africans will wrap up their 2022 Cameroon Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and begin their 2022 Qatar Fifa World Cup qualifiers, while Singh and the Under- 23 national team will be hoping to represent the nation with distinction at the Olympic Games in Japan.

But with so much at stake and Ntseki looking at the two upcoming friendlies to fine tune his preparations for the back- to- back Afcon qualifiers against Sa Tome and Principe next month, Singh knows that he may not necessarily lead the line against the Brave Warriors and Chipolopolo.

Nonetheless, he hasn’t been deterred from his urge to put in the hard work at training and on the pitch if he gets the opportunity. And after all, he knows, learning from experienced campaigners such as Kermit Erasmus, Percy Tau and Lebogang Manyama will do him the world of good.

“With the quality that we have in camp, I feel like we can learn a lot from the experienced guys,” he said.

| SAMUEL SHIVAMBU Backpagepix LUTHER Singh is back in the Bafana Bafana mix for their two international friendlies against Zambia and Namibia this week. The youngster is looking forward to learning from his experienced teammates.