Bafana Bafana midfielder Masilo Modubi is determined to grab any opportunities that come his way during June’s Confederations Cup.
The 24-year-old Modubi, who was born in Polokwane, has been on the books of English Premiership giants Chelsea for six years but has never kicked a ball in England.
He joined Chelsea from the School of Excellence as a raw 18-year-old and was loaned to Belgium side Westerlo where he is still playing.
Said Modubi: ”I have been happy at Westerlo. We finished sixth in the Belgium First Division which is better than usual for us, so
it was a good season.”
But he has not heard from the big spending Chelsea about his future. ”I have never been part of the Chelsea set up as I was loaned out after signing for them. But as regards to my future, I will decide after the Confederations Cup as I aim to focus on winning a place in the final Bafana Bafana squad of 23 that will be named next month for the Confederations Cup.”
Bafana head coach Joel Santana, who named a provisional squad of 30 players earlier this month, will have to wield the axe and trim the squad to 23 in accordance with the competition rules.
Said Modubi: ”The fact that we have 30 players in the squad means competition for places is strong. To me that is a good thing as it keeps everybody on their toes. We know if we fail to work hard at training we will not make the cut.”
Santana names his final squad on June 4.
Modubi played in the last two friendly internationals under Santana, helping Bafana defeat a lethargic Norway 1-0 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium and was in the side that was beaten 2-0 three days later by Portugal in Switzerland.
Said Modubi: ”I now have four caps and want to go on and become a regular in the Bafana set-up. I know the ball is in my court and we all know how big the Confederations Cup is and it will be the door to playing in the 2010 World Cup finals, and I am excited about the prospect.”
Modubi said the crunch for him will come when Bafana play Mauritius in a training match at the Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday.
”The game against Mauritius will be the key for me and the other squad members. We have to shine in that game to stay in the squad, but I am up for the challenge and the fact so much rests on our performances, mean we are all going to give a good account of ourselves against Mauritius.”
The bulk of the European based players, including skipper Aaron Mokoena who has transferred to Portsmouth from fellow English Premiership outfit Blackburn Rovers, arrive in camp next Monday. — Sapa