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Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Zuko Mdunyelwa says his recent Bafana Bafana call-up should serve as motivation for youngsters dreaming of making it professionally.
The 26-year-old defender was included in coach Hugo Broos’ 23-man squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria earlier this month, and featured in both matches, while earning praise from the Belgian mentor.
Mdunyelwa reflected on his national team breakthrough and the responsibility he carries when wearing the national team jersey.
"I think every football player's dream is to represent their nation, so when the opportunity came that I should represent my nation, I took it with both hands," he said.
"Because I know what it means for a boy coming from the township to be in a platform where you get an opportunity to represent your nation, it's representing all the boys coming from ekasi, from rural areas who don't believe that this thing is possible.
"That's the pride I took into the game, and also the nation itself."
Mdunyelwa said playing for a team of Sundowns’ calibre guaranteed he would not be out of his depth on the international stage, as he now hopes to make the AFCON squad in December.
"It's tough choices that you [Broos] would have to make, but I would say, let the coach make the best decision for the nation," he stressed.
"It's not a huge step [up], considering the players I'm competing with at club level, because there are a lot of international players, so when you have a conversation with them, you get to have the feeling of how it is to be there. So when you get there, it's not a surprise."
