Zwane takes it in his stride

Every time Hugo Broos names his Bafana Bafana squad, you wonder who will make the cut and who’ll be left out, as he has been ignoring some players who you’d think should have a shoe-in.

One player who has been knocking on Broos’ door is Lyle Lakay and he finally got the nod for the up-coming friendlies against Guinea and France.

But his Mamelodi Sundowns team-mate Themba Zwane (above) is still out in the cold despite his scintillating form for Masandawana this season.

The outcry for “Mshishi” to be in the team is loud, particularly from the Downs fans and everyone else who believes that a talented player like Zwane deserves to be in the national team.

The player himself, however, does not sound bothered at all about his exclusion from the Bafana squad set to face Guinea tomorrow and France on Tuesday.

“I’m not disappointed at all. I am a professional footballer and I have to respect the coach’s decision. I support the guys who are there. The coach has never said anything to me but I don’t have anything against the coach,” said Zwane.

Downs, wearing their hat as current MTN8 champions, were handing out some soccer boots to scholars in Hammanskraal this week.

Zwane said he has not given up on his hopes to play for the national team and will continue lifting his hand in an attempt to add to his 25 caps.

“As a player, I will keep on pushing and hope that the chance to play for the national team will come again. If not, I will still keep on pushing.

“There are things that I need to achieve personally and I need to help my team. That means I have to improve in every game,” he added.

“Mshishi” might not be Broos’ cup of tea, but he is highly valued at Chloorkop, where he is in his eighth season as a regular with the senior team and able to maintain his same level of brilliance.