Siphelele Ntshangase is itching for more Bafana Bafana action.
The 22-year-old, a two-goal hero in South Africa's 3-0 win over Mauritius in the African Nations Championship (Chan) first-leg qualifier at the weekend, is eager to transform himself into a trusty Bafana player.
"I want to work even harder to cement my place in the national team," Ntshangase said.
"It has been great to be part of Bafana and I'm really inspired by the two goals I scored on Saturday. I'm happy that I contributed to the success of my country, and I will always avail myself whenever they want me."
The Black Leopards talisman holds Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba in high esteem, and he wants to reward the handler for the confidence he has shown in him.
"He's a father figure to me and I have learnt a great deal from the little time I spent with him. He taught me discipline, among other important things in life," said the self-effacing Ntshangase, who was born in Phongolo, KwaZulu-Natal.
The last born in a family of six, Ntshangase believes there's enough depth in SA to turn Bafana fortunes around on the continent.
But he was quick to stress that he was not an instant solution to Bafana scoring problems. "I'm still learning but with time and hard work I think I will be fine," he said.
It was Ntshangase's third match for Bafana on Saturday.
He made his debut in a friendly against Swaziland and went on to play against Gambia in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Durban a fortnight ago. He is looking forward to a return match against Mauritius in two weeks time.
"We will approach that match as if we lost the first leg. We can't afford to be complacent, not in this game," he said.
Ntshangase, who scored 11 goals for Leopards in all competitions last season, said he was still contracted to the Venda club that he intended to help gain promotion to the top flight next season.
He joined Leopards in 2013 from Brazil Academy in Durban.
Leopards boss David Thidiela said he won't listen to any offers for his prized asset "because Siphelele is still contracted to us".
Ntshangase promises more zeal for Bafana
Siphelele Ntshangase is itching for more Bafana Bafana action.
The 22-year-old, a two-goal hero in South Africa's 3-0 win over Mauritius in the African Nations Championship (Chan) first-leg qualifier at the weekend, is eager to transform himself into a trusty Bafana player.
"I want to work even harder to cement my place in the national team," Ntshangase said.
"It has been great to be part of Bafana and I'm really inspired by the two goals I scored on Saturday. I'm happy that I contributed to the success of my country, and I will always avail myself whenever they want me."
The Black Leopards talisman holds Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba in high esteem, and he wants to reward the handler for the confidence he has shown in him.
"He's a father figure to me and I have learnt a great deal from the little time I spent with him. He taught me discipline, among other important things in life," said the self-effacing Ntshangase, who was born in Phongolo, KwaZulu-Natal.
The last born in a family of six, Ntshangase believes there's enough depth in SA to turn Bafana fortunes around on the continent.
But he was quick to stress that he was not an instant solution to Bafana scoring problems. "I'm still learning but with time and hard work I think I will be fine," he said.
It was Ntshangase's third match for Bafana on Saturday.
He made his debut in a friendly against Swaziland and went on to play against Gambia in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Durban a fortnight ago. He is looking forward to a return match against Mauritius in two weeks time.
"We will approach that match as if we lost the first leg. We can't afford to be complacent, not in this game," he said.
Ntshangase, who scored 11 goals for Leopards in all competitions last season, said he was still contracted to the Venda club that he intended to help gain promotion to the top flight next season.
He joined Leopards in 2013 from Brazil Academy in Durban.
Leopards boss David Thidiela said he won't listen to any offers for his prized asset "because Siphelele is still contracted to us".
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