PLATINUM Stars defender Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela believes he is far better than some of the players in the Bafana Bafana squad.
PLATINUM Stars defender Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela believes he is far better than some of the players in the Bafana Bafana squad.
He says he is a better player than SuperSport United defender Bongani Khumalo and Bevan Fransman who plays for Israeli side Maccabi Netanya.
"I don't want to sound like I'm bragging but I'm better than these players," Mabizela told Sowetan yesterday.
"I'm a senior player who has played at the highest level and yet I'm not being called up. The selection of players sometimes confuses me."
Mabizela, who has been capped 46 times, last played for Bafana in September 2008 in a 1-0 loss against Nigeria in Port Elizabeth and the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns defender said he would like to don the Bafana jersey once again.
"I have got experience on my side and I have been with the national team before and I know what it takes to play for the team. It is not like we are talking about Lucas Thwala who has not played many games for the national team," he said.
Mabizela, however, said if he failed to make it into the 2010 World Cup squad, he would carry on with his club football.
"I know what I'm capable of and though I'm keen to return to the squad, I'm not desperate. I was not selected for the Confederations Cup and that did not dampen my spirits. Instead I saw that as a motivation to work even harder. Today I'm on top of my game and I'm happy with my performance. I feel humbled by those people who are calling for my return to Bafana Bafana."
The petulant defender also apologised for his past mistakes that cost him a place in the senior national squad. Mabizela's disappearing acts forced Sundowns to give him the boot.
"Look, players like Benni (McCarthy) and Mabhudi (Khenyeza) have also made mistakes in the past but they keep getting selected and really this surprises me," he said.
OJ 'better than some in bafana'
PLATINUM Stars defender Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela believes he is far better than some of the players in the Bafana Bafana squad.
PLATINUM Stars defender Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela believes he is far better than some of the players in the Bafana Bafana squad.
He says he is a better player than SuperSport United defender Bongani Khumalo and Bevan Fransman who plays for Israeli side Maccabi Netanya.
"I don't want to sound like I'm bragging but I'm better than these players," Mabizela told Sowetan yesterday.
"I'm a senior player who has played at the highest level and yet I'm not being called up. The selection of players sometimes confuses me."
Mabizela, who has been capped 46 times, last played for Bafana in September 2008 in a 1-0 loss against Nigeria in Port Elizabeth and the former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns defender said he would like to don the Bafana jersey once again.
"I have got experience on my side and I have been with the national team before and I know what it takes to play for the team. It is not like we are talking about Lucas Thwala who has not played many games for the national team," he said.
Mabizela, however, said if he failed to make it into the 2010 World Cup squad, he would carry on with his club football.
"I know what I'm capable of and though I'm keen to return to the squad, I'm not desperate. I was not selected for the Confederations Cup and that did not dampen my spirits. Instead I saw that as a motivation to work even harder. Today I'm on top of my game and I'm happy with my performance. I feel humbled by those people who are calling for my return to Bafana Bafana."
The petulant defender also apologised for his past mistakes that cost him a place in the senior national squad. Mabizela's disappearing acts forced Sundowns to give him the boot.
"Look, players like Benni (McCarthy) and Mabhudi (Khenyeza) have also made mistakes in the past but they keep getting selected and really this surprises me," he said.