Happy Jele, who had a great season for Orlando Pirates last season, remains optimistic he will be part of Bafana Bafana set-up and play regularly for the national team.

There has been calls from supporters for coach Shakes Mashaba to call up Jele, who was one of Pirates' best players in the 2014-2015 campaign.

The right-back was very happy to fill in at centre back whenever Rooi Mahamutsa or Siyabonga Sangweni was absent. He has three Bafana caps.

"Everyday I keep telling myself that I need to work harder," the 28-year-old Jele said. "I think I am doing well, but obviously the coach [Mashaba] has his own team. He knows which players he wants in the team and he has his own philosophy.

"I just have to work harder so that he can select me one day. I wish one day I will get a chance.

"It's sad when you see players doing well at their teams but they do not get to play for the national team. And you wish that they can get a chance. But like I said a coach selects the players he wants. We have to be positive."

With his experience on the continent, playing in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, Jele feels he can play a key role in the senior national team.

"We learn every time we play on the continent. It's very good to play on the continent so that you can represent the country well," he said.

The Buccaneers are back in training to prepare for next week's Confederation Cup group stages match against AC Leopards.