Orlando Pirates forward Tshegofatso Mabasa feels he may need to score much more to get selected into the national team.
Mabasa continues to miss out on Bafana Bafana opportunities as he receives call-ups and never makes the final squad or on some occasions, he misses out completely.
The forward last played for Bafana Bafana in October 2021 during a World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia and since then, he has been overlooked by coach Hugo Broos despite being the PSL top scorer last season.
“I think with the national team, it is a bit disappointing when you find that you don’t make the final squad,” Mabasa said on SoccerBeat as quoted by Soccer Laduma.
Pirates striker undeterred by Bafana snubs
“But one thing about myself and what the journey has taught me is that I will continue to knock on that door.
“And that door will eventually open. I don’t doubt that for one bit. I will get my opportunity again in the national team. But for now, I will keep on pushing and hopefully that opportunity will come again.”
Mabasa scored 19 goals across all competitions, 16 in the PSL last season, and has 13 this term but his constant snubs are now putting pressure on him to score even more as he feels it is the only way to convince Broos to hand him opportunities.
What should Mabasa do to convince Broos?
“Probably the consistency [is what is lacking], I would love to score a lot more in a longer run of games,” he added on what he may have to do to earn national team call-ups.
“Probably in a span of eight games, I have like 15 goals and make that decision easy that he [Broos] has to choose, not for it to be as difficult as it has been.”
With South Africa heading to the 2025 Africa cup of Nations and leading their World Cup qualification group, Mabasa will hope to maintain his scoring run to change the mind of Broos, who preferred his Pirates team-mate Evidence Makgopa at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
In recent matches, the veteran tactician has been going with Burnley forward Lyle Foster and Mamelodi Sundowns hitman Iqraam Rayners.
