Arthur Zwane has reacted after AmaZulu FC were left without a representative in the preliminary Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers and international friendly.
New Bafana mentor Pitso Mosimane recently named a 35-man preliminary squad for the upcoming matches against Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.
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With none of his AmaZulu players making the cut, Zwane says his squad must remain consistent if they are to earn recognition at international level.
The Usuthu coach pointed to Mosimane’s history of rewarding players who perform well, insisting that his players still have every chance of earning a call-up.
Moreover, as previously reported by iDiski Times sources, Zwane is also a candidate for the second assistant coach position in Mosimane’s Bafana technical team.
AmaZulu have several players who have impressed since last season, including Athini Maqokolo, Nkosikhona Radebe and Siyanda Hlangabeza.
“Look, it’s too early, man, when I say it’s too early, I don’t mean that they don’t deserve to be in the national team. When I say it’s too early, I don’t mean also that they’re not good enough,” said Zwane.
“But at the moment, in everything that is happening in football, there’s this thing called continuity. So we’ve got to give the support and respect to the national team particularly, coach Pitso, because he’s been there, he knows what he’s doing.
“And obviously, he’s watching everyone. So it’s up to the players, because consistency is everything in football. I always encourage them that if they don’t make it, it’s not that they’re bad players but their turn will come.
“Coach Pitso is one person that deals with the reality. He doesn’t sugarcoat things, he doesn’t do people favours.
“When you do well, you do well, he’ll give you a chance. He’s done that in the past.
“We know what he’s also done in the team like Mamelodi Sundowns. The foundation that he’s laid, the vast experience as well. He’s been to Africa, where he won the Champions League twice. You wouldn’t doubt his credibility when it comes to that. Me, as a man that knows Coach Pitso very well, I wish him well.
“For continuity’s sake in this country, he deserves it. He’s done a lot for the game, for South African football. He’s the one that opened doors for all the coaches that you see now probably in Africa. We appreciate him, we know he’s going to do the job.
“The boys must remain focused and disciplined, keep their heads up, keep pushing. That’s the most important thing.”