Polokwane City Football Striker Thobani Mncwango is included in the 23 man Bafana Bafana squad that will play against Gambia in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match in June.
Mncwango joined City from Baroka Football Club in the 2013/14 Premier Soccer League season is one of the leagues top goal scorers with 12 goals.
The Nongoma born striker said he was elated to finally make to the senior national soccer team.
“It is the dream of every soccer player, be it amateur or professional, to play for the national team and I am no different. This has always been my childhood dream and I am happy to realise it. I am grateful to my teammates, the technical team, Coach Makweni Mayana and Julio Leal for believing in me. I played many matches under them and scored crucial goals. I thank them for the opportunity,” Mncwango said.
The squad will assemble on 29 May before jetting out to Gambia three days later ahead of the match taking place on Saturday, 4 June at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.
South Africa is currently third after four matches played in Group M, one point above Gambia and five points behind group leaders Cameroon, with just two qualifiers left to play.
Following their encounter against Gambia, Shakes Mashaba’s charges will then play a friendly on 7 June against a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent.
Congratulating Mncwango, Polokwane City Football Club Spokesperson, Tumelo Makgoara said they are proud of Mncwango and wished best of luck in the African Cup of Nations qualifier match. “He deserves the recognition. He has been doing well since the beginning of the season and this is the reward of hard work,” Makgoara said.
He also mentioned that Mncwango’s selection shows that the team is doing something right and it also puts them on the map. “He is the only player from our team in the national team. We hardly have representatives in the national team so we are happy for him,” Makgoara said.
Featured Photo: Polokwane City Football Club Striker, Thobani Mncwango is included in the Bafana Bafana side that will take on Gambia in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in June.
Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
