Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi says he knew that his chances of making it to the final Bafana Bafana squad that will represent South Africa in the African Cup of Nations in Morocco were low after an injury layoff.
Maswanganyi was part of the initial 54-man provisional list but was later trimmed from the final squad heading to Morocco.
The midfielder says a lack of game time under new Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, coupled with niggling injuries, made it clear that his chances were slim.
“Deep down, I knew I wasn’t going to make it. I wasn’t playing much – sometimes getting just a few minutes – and when I was last in the national team camp, I had small injuries that bothered me,” said Maswanganyi in an interview on Metro FM.
“Those things affect your form, and with so many players in the country performing well, I understood the situation.”
The 27-year-old, previously earmarked by Broos as a possible long-term replacement for Themba Zwane, admitted that his stop-start campaign left him struggling to build the consistency needed for international selection.
While disappointed, Maswanganyi says there is no bitterness – only renewed motivation.
He is now focused on regaining his rhythm at club level and earning his place back in the Pirates line-up, trusting that strong performances will reopen the door to Bafana Bafana.
“I accepted it quickly. Right now, my job is to work hard, get back into the team and help Pirates,” he added.
“If I perform the way I know I can, the national team call-up will come again.”