Arrows coach says Mbanjwa’s Bafana call-up is pure merit and deserved
Golden Arrows assistant coach Ashley Makhanya has a message for South Africa’s selectors: stop looking only at the big clubs.
Goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa has earned a place in Pitso Mosimane’s preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for next month’s two AFCON qualifiers against Benni McCarthy’s Kenya, and Makhanya says nobody should be surprised.
Mbanjwa was named alongside Ricardo Goss, Ronwen Williams and Sipho Chaine in a four-man goalkeeping group.
“We are happy that a team like Golden Arrows with all these quality players, they deserve these call-ups, it’s on merit,” Makhanya said.
Makhanya pointed out that this is not a one-off. Arrows’ players are now regularly catching the eye of the national team coaches.
“Last time, it was Van Neel who was in the preliminary squad and this time, it’s Mbanjwa,” he said.
Makhanya wants the trend to continue, and he made it clear that consistency should be the only currency that counts.
“We hope that it continues, it’s about performance at the end of the day. If a guy performs at good tactical level, he’ll be selected, there’s chance that they will be selected,” he said.
Then came the line aimed at the so-called giants of the Betway Premiership.
“You don’t have to move to the so-called big club to be part of the national team.”
For Mbanjwa and Arrows, the call-up is a reward for strong form. For the rest of the league, it is a reminder that Mosimane is watching.
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