Dynamos striker Sandile Ndlovu is anxious to wear the Bafana Bafana jersey for the first time against Australia in their friendly match in Durban on Wednesday night.
The 24-year-old Ndlovu, who is on loan to Dynamos from Mamelodi Sundowns, is the only new Bafana Bafana recruit included in the team.
”I was a bit nervous but the support I got from the other selected players when we assembled on Monday morning was awesome,” said Ndlovu.
”Everybody urged me to work hard, including the technical staff members. This is like a dream, I still can’t believe that I have received a Bafana Bafana call-up.
”I was praying to God almost every day to be included in the national team because I have been playing well and deserved the call-up.”
Ndlovu celebrated his inclusion into the senior national football squad by scoring a hat-trick when the Limpopo outfit pipped Moroka Swallows 4-3 in Giyani last Saturday.
He is now the Castle Premiership top goal scorer on 14 goals, after the previous leader, Collins Mbesuma (13), failed to score when Kaizer Chiefs played to a goalless draw with Silver Stars.
”For now, my focus is on helping Bafana Bafana beat Australia. The good thing about the match is that it takes place in the province where I was born and bred [KwaZulu-Natal],” he added.
”I have invited my family, including my two children, Amahle and Banele, to come to the match since it will be a historic day for me since I started playing football.
”I hope the Bafana Bafana technical staff will give me a run, even if it will be for a few minutes,” said Ndlovu, who grew up supporting Kaizer Chiefs.
Ndlovu said he is confident that coach Stuart Baxter has selected the best Bafana Bafana team to end the dominance of the Socceroos over their South African counterparts.
”It will obviously be a tough match but there is no way Australia can beat us again. The 1-0 win in London last year was their last victory against Bafana Bafana,” he said. — Sapa