Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Siyanda Ndlovu has expressed his joy after earning his first call-up to Bafana Bafana.
The 23-year-old has been in fine form for the Brazilians this season, following his transfer from Golden Arrows, featuring in 16 games in all competitions, scoring three goals and assisting a further three.
Ndlovu is a part of the South Africa squad to take on Kenya in successive 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers starting at the Amstel Orlando Arena on Friday.
Speaking while in camp with the national team, Ndlovu revealed that former head coach Manqoba Mngqithi inspired him with comparisons with former football legend Doctor Khumalo.
“I’m very happy because if you’re a player, one wish you have as a professional footballer is to play for the national team,” Ndlovu said in the Citizen.
“I’m grateful to coach Pitso [Mosimane] for giving me a chance because I have been working very hard for it.”
“The play I was playing and the way the coach (Mngqithi) was fielding me, he ended up comparing me to him (Khumalo) so It made me happy,” added Ndlovu.
“I watched him a little bit and I realised that the talent that he had was so big. Being compared to him made me happy because I wished that the way I was playing, I could be at the top like that until I reached the national team.
“I think this is what made me perform the way I’ve been doing because there were names that he kept on telling me about which I followed.
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“Coming to the national team, other guys that I play with have been pushing me a lot like Mshishi (Themba Zwane) who has been telling me that my chance is coming. That gave me a lot of hope until I got the national team,” said the midfielder.