KATLEGO Mphela wants to be Bafana Bafana's starting striker.
The 28-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns star hinted yesterday that, as the country's most experienced hitman in their Africa Cup of Nations squad, coach Gordon Igesund should consider starting him against Angola at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow (5pm kickoff).
Mphela has been rusty after a return from long-term injury just seven weeks before the tournament and came off the bench in Bafana's unconvincing 0-0 opening draw against Cape Verde Islands at the National Stadium on Saturday night.
However, Bafana's third-highest all-time scorer has a reputation for producing in front of goal regardless of form, and with 23 goals in 47 games has a prolific strike rate at international level.
He said he believed his fitness was acceptable to make 90 minutes against Angola.
"I've played a couple of friendlies already and on Saturday night came in and played about 20 minutes, so my fitness is OK," Mphela said.
"If I'm picked to start against Angola I think I'm more than ready. I'm prepared to step up to the plate and obviously try to get what we need - goals.
"We've got quality strikers in the squad, but statistically you know that I've played in these tournaments before and I'm the more experienced striker in this team, so I think I can make the difference.
"It's always a responsibility for me to get goals, especially for an expectant country like South Africa. And now that the Afcon is here, and especially having not played well in our first game, we want to do well in our second game. Hopefully I'll get some goals for the team to go through to the next round."
Mphela was a surprise choice in Joel Santana's Confederations Cup squad in 2009 having been barely playing for Sundowns. He came off the bench and scored twice - including a free-kick in the dying seconds that was nominated for Fifa's Goal of the Year - to send the third-place play-off against Spain into extra time. He also scored in the 2-1 win over France in the 2010 World Cup.
Mphela said Bafana would need heart if they were to beat Angola, an experienced and dangerous combination spearheaded by international-class striker Manucho.
The Sundowns striker believed Bafana could create chances and score if they settled into a better rhythm than against Cape Verde, where Bafana failed to put their foot on the ball and find their passing game.
After Angola, Bafana meet Morocco, also at Moses Mabhida, on Sunday.
Killer asks for a chance
KATLEGO Mphela wants to be Bafana Bafana's starting striker.
The 28-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns star hinted yesterday that, as the country's most experienced hitman in their Africa Cup of Nations squad, coach Gordon Igesund should consider starting him against Angola at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow (5pm kickoff).
Mphela has been rusty after a return from long-term injury just seven weeks before the tournament and came off the bench in Bafana's unconvincing 0-0 opening draw against Cape Verde Islands at the National Stadium on Saturday night.
However, Bafana's third-highest all-time scorer has a reputation for producing in front of goal regardless of form, and with 23 goals in 47 games has a prolific strike rate at international level.
He said he believed his fitness was acceptable to make 90 minutes against Angola.
"I've played a couple of friendlies already and on Saturday night came in and played about 20 minutes, so my fitness is OK," Mphela said.
"If I'm picked to start against Angola I think I'm more than ready. I'm prepared to step up to the plate and obviously try to get what we need - goals.
"We've got quality strikers in the squad, but statistically you know that I've played in these tournaments before and I'm the more experienced striker in this team, so I think I can make the difference.
"It's always a responsibility for me to get goals, especially for an expectant country like South Africa. And now that the Afcon is here, and especially having not played well in our first game, we want to do well in our second game. Hopefully I'll get some goals for the team to go through to the next round."
Mphela was a surprise choice in Joel Santana's Confederations Cup squad in 2009 having been barely playing for Sundowns. He came off the bench and scored twice - including a free-kick in the dying seconds that was nominated for Fifa's Goal of the Year - to send the third-place play-off against Spain into extra time. He also scored in the 2-1 win over France in the 2010 World Cup.
Mphela said Bafana would need heart if they were to beat Angola, an experienced and dangerous combination spearheaded by international-class striker Manucho.
The Sundowns striker believed Bafana could create chances and score if they settled into a better rhythm than against Cape Verde, where Bafana failed to put their foot on the ball and find their passing game.
After Angola, Bafana meet Morocco, also at Moses Mabhida, on Sunday.
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