Mamelodi Sundowns defender Lyle Lakay has admitted it feels good to captain Bafana Bafana in the COSAFA Cup, while his future with the Tshwane giants remains uncertain.
Lakay, instead of being with Sundowns for pre-season ahead of the 2023/24 season, was allowed to join Bafana’s makeshift squad that is playing in the ongoing COSAFA Cup in Durban.
To top it off Bafana COSAFA Cup coach Morena Ramoreboli has handed him the skipper role to lead the side, which has boosted Lakay’s morale.
“Personally, it is a good feeling,” Lakay told iDiski Times of being the skipper of the side while his future is set to be discussed after the regional tournament.
“But at the end of the day, it is about representing the country. So I try not to make it about me, even though it is good for me. At the end of the day it is for the country, it is for the team and possibly lifts the cup.”
The 31-year-old, who revealed that he still as a contract with Sundowns, was deemed surplus to requirements by the Tshwane giants last season and was loaned to Cape Town City, despite being named as DStv Premiership Defender of the Season in 2021/22, where he featured in 41 matches in all competitions.
Bafana will play Eswatini in their final Group A match at Princess Magogo Stadium at 6 pm on Tuesday, looking to book a spot in the semi-final.
Bafana are on top of the group with four points, one ahead of Eswatini and Botswana – having drawn with Namibia and defeated Botswana, respectively.
A draw would be enough for Bafana to qualify for the semis, while a win would guarantee them top spot, with Lakay insisting they aim to get three points.
“It is a must-win for us but in saying that we are going to every game wanting to win,” he said without mincing his words.
“The mandate is the same – go every game and all the way and win the trophy.”
Mzansi won this regional cup in 2021 under Ramoreboli without conceding a goal in Port Elizabeth and the Jwaneng Galaxy coach was tasked by SAFA yet again to be in charge of the side in this year’s tournament as Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele doesn’t have the required coaching badges to sit on the bench.
