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Manyama pushing for Bafana spot

GREAT MATCH: SuperSport United head coach Gordon Igesund and Lebogang Manyama Photo: Lefty Shivambu
GREAT MATCH: SuperSport United head coach Gordon Igesund and Lebogang Manyama Photo: Lefty Shivambu

IT'S not often that South Africa has forwards who are scoring goals yet are unable to force their way into the national team.

It is one of the pleasing problems to have for any national team selector, and Shakes Mashaba will be nodding appreciatively at the next group of players begging for a Bafana Bafana jersey.

At the front of the next conveyor belt is skilful SuperSport United forward Lebogang Manyama, whose goals have taken Matsatsantsa from the middle of the Karoo to a top-eight Premiership spot and a place in the Telkom Knockout final.

Manyama has three goals in four matches in all competitions but when he tells you it'll be hard to break into the Bafana team, you'd better believe him.

Manyama, who was capped six times under previous Bafana coach Gordon Igesund, understands better than most how tough it would be to get that call from Mashaba, who seems to have a settled team.

"The national team is doing really well and it is going to be hard for anyone to take the place of the players that are already there," he said. "But everybody wants to play for the national team and if the chance comes, I'll grab it with both hands. If it doesn't, I'll keep my head up and continue doing well for SuperSport."

 

Manyama, 24, has often been one of those players with the distinct "Made in South Africa" label on his back. He had wondrous skill and ability to beat players but lacked the finishing touch.

Things have improved. His creamy half-volley past Virgil Vries of Maritzburg United has been the pick of his goals this season.

"I'm slowly getting there but I don't want to put pressure on myself and declare that I'm playing the way I did when I was at Ajax," he said.

"I've struggled with injuries but I think I'm again showing what I can do."

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