IGNORED by Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba until last week, Kamohelo Mokotjo is confident he will play a key role for the national side in the coming years.

"At 24, people might start saying it is high time I start featuring prominently for Bafana. But I don't believe in forcing or rushing things. Time will come," the midfielder said ahead of Bafana's second friendly on their central American tour against Honduras tomorrow (midnight South African time).

Mokotjo played his second international match this year when he came on as a substitute in Bafana's 1-0 win over Costa Rica on Friday, marking a return to the national set up after a reported fallout with Mashaba, who was previously quoted as describing the player as sluggish.

He was included only after Oupa Manyisa, the Orlando Pirates midfielder, pulled out of the squad.

"Let's give the coaching staff our undivided support and stop dictating to him who to play and not to play. At the end of the day, it is his head on the block if results don't come.

"I am now ready to be given game time at national level. Playing for one's country is priceless," the FC Twente star said.

Mokotjo said for a player who never played most of his games in South Africa, he has a point to prove to South Africans.

"Very few football fans know me back home because I hardly played football (in SA) hence I am also eager to repay given a chance," he added.

Meanwhile, Thulani Hlatshwayo was released from the Bafana camp in Honduras following a family bereavement, the SA Football Association said.