Mlungisi Mbunjana not anxious about Bafana Bafana AFCON selection

Mlungisi Mbunjana not anxious about Bafana Bafana AFCON selection

As one of the newcomers in the Bafana Bafana squad setup, TS Galaxy captain Mlungisi Mbunjana has an outside chance of making the AFCON squad in January, but the midfielder says he’s not anxious.

The 33-year-old was handed his national team debut in September when Bafana faced Namibia, while regulars were left out as coach Hugo Broos looked to widen his pool of players. 

READ: Booth backs Bafana to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

In a few weeks, Broos will pick a 23-man squad for the final tournament in Ivory Coast and Mbunjana was asked how he rates his prospects.

"That [selection] you can't really control. What I can control is how I train, how I prepare myself, how I perform in matches, and then the coach will decide if he needs me or doesn't need me," said Mbunjana.

"So, that I can't really control, but what I am trying to control in terms of trying lead the guys as their leader [at TS Galaxy], and perform well."

His age probably rules him out of contention for a regular spot at Bafana, but the Belgian made an exception considering Mbujana’s form for Galaxy. 

The player, however, knows there’s a lot of competition in his department. 

"I put the team first, try to get the results, play for the team and not play for myself to be seen by the coach [Broos], so that we will see if I get into the squad or not," he added.

"It's always an honour to represent South Africa because there are a lot of good players that drive to get to that position or get to play for Bafana Bafana.

"I was very fortunate and privileged to have been called up and given game time to play, and I think I gave my best, showed the coach what I can do, and everything else is up to God."

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