Chippa United defender Justice Chabalala says his Chilli Boys teammate Sinoxolo Kwayiba is fully deserving of his late call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad as a replacement for the banished Jayden Adams.
Speaking to the Sowetan Chabalala added that the 24-year-old midfielder was destined for greatness due to his fantastic work ethic.
“Congrats to the boy. He’s a very good player,” said Chabalala.
“He’s one of the humblest boys you can find in football … he respects everyone at the team and he’s coachable. I have always told him that if he continues to work hard, good things will happen for him and this Bafana call-up is a start of good things.
“He always does extra training, staying behind the collective sessions. I always say that whatever you do, good or bad izovela [it will show].
“I believe that he will remain humble and learn as much as he can from the experienced guys in the national team. He will be one of the household names in SA football in the near future.”
In turn, Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos explained why he had called up the young Chippa player: “Kwayiba has been performing well for his club,” Broos said.
“Yes, he is not playing for a top team but when we see a player with the qualities that we want he can play for Chippa, Pirates, Sundowns or Arrows.
“I do not look at the team he plays for, I just look at the player’s performance.
“Kwayiba is powerful and big and he has some of the qualities that we need in our team and again he was selected because of his performance.
“But, it is up to him now, to show us at training and his behaviour in the group, and then we will see for the future if he gets a call-up again.
“Let’s hope he’ll succeed to stay in the team,” he said.
Kwayiba stands to make his Bafana Bafana debut on Friday when they face Congo in Port Elizabeth.
“If I am given a chance to play, I will do my absolute best to do well and help the team win so that I am called again for the next game,” said Kwayiba.
“I wouldn’t want for this to be my first and the last call-up to play for Bafana so I will do my best.”
“Congo is not a team that I follow much but I have watched a couple of their matches before.
“But as players who are here, who have been called up to play on Friday, we know what is expected of us.
“Even at training, players are giving their all and I am positive that we will win Friday’s match.
“I am very excited to be among the Bafana Bafana senior players now because some of them are my role models and people I look up to.”
Bafana Bafana arrived in Gqeberha on Sunday and immediately familiarised themselves with the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Coach Hugo Broos' team host Congo Brazzaville in an AFCON qualifier at the venue on Friday, 11 October 2024.#BafanaPride#Afconqualifers pic.twitter.com/v1HP8p2pBi
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 6, 2024
