Tshegofatso Mabasa says he will keep pushing for a place in Hugo Broos’ Bafana team.
The 28-year-old Orlando Pirates striker was included in Broos’ initial 37-man preliminary squad but axed from the final squad named on Thursday.
Broos opted instead for Polokwane City’s Oswin Appollis, Iqraam Rayners and Thapelo Morena from Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates attackers Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng as well as Elias Mokwana from ES Tunis, Lyle Foster from Burnley FC and Qatar SC striker Percy Tau.
South Africa are due to play Lesotho and Benin in World Cup qualifiers later this month.
Mabasa, who has scored 13 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions for Pirates this season, was reported by the Citizen to have said: “I am just going to keep knocking on the door. It’s his [Broos’] decision at the end of the day, and all I can do is just keep on pushing as a player.”
He added: “I’ve got nothing else to say about that [his omission from the Bafana squad]. It is his [Hugo Broos] decision at the end of the day; all I can do is continue to push as a player.
“Nothing makes me as happy as playing football and being out on the pitch. So, I am just grateful for the fact that I can continue to do that. Whatever opportunities come my way, I am grateful for them.”
Bafana are currently in second place in their World Cup qualifying group, level on seven points with leaders Rwanda and third-placed Benin.