Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner has explained why he was not surprised by his call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad.
The 28-year-old has been in sublime form for Sekhukhune this season and has been on the periphery of the squad, often being cut from the preliminary group before the final squad.
However, he’s now been included ahead of Sipho Chaine, who is the leading contender for Goalkeeper of the Season in the Premier Soccer League this season, and been the second-choice stopper behind Ronwen Williams for over a year now.
“I don’t feel like I was surprised, you know in the prelim squad there’s always five goalkeepers, so if your name is there in the beginning from the five, you always have to be ready because anything can happen,” he said.
“Someone could get injured and you have to be ready, so if you feel those three will always be the three and I won’t make the final squad, and you do get a change, then you won’t be ready for it. So I was always ready for this, to be able to come.”
Leaner has needed to show his mental resilience this season, challenging with experienced international talents, Toaster Nsabata of Zambia, Manuel Sapunga of Equatorial Guinea and promising teenager Kgoleng Ratisani.
“I can remember after the Tanzania, Mozambique camp, the season started, I played the first three or four games and got dropped for x, y, z reasons but it never stopped me from working because I belived in myself, I know my abilities.
“Ive been pushing hard at training and eventually my head coach at my club decided to give me another chance and I took it from there. I can only control what is in my situation, if I play – I can control that, the rest I can’t.”
Leaner has kept eight clean sheets in 19 games this season, while conceding 13 goals across all competitions.
