Mokotjo regains citizenship, eligible for Bafana

Kamohelo Mokotjo is challenged by Thamsanqa Gabuza during a Bafana training session last year. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Kamohelo Mokotjo is challenged by Thamsanqa Gabuza during a Bafana training session last year. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Published Mar 24, 2017

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JOHANNESBURG – Kamohelo Mokotjo will be eligible to play for Bafana Bafana in Saturday’s international friendly against Guinea-Bissau and all future games.

This after the Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba, by the power vested in terms of Section 13(3)(a)(i) of the South African Citizenship Act, 1995 (Act No. 88 of 1995), allowed him to resume his former South African citizenship.

Mokotjo acquired Dutch citizenship in December 2016 and automatically lost his South African citizenship. The Minister approved the application after carefully applying his mind to a motivation submitted before him by the applicant stating the reasons for the request.

According to the Act, a South African shall cease to be a citizen if "he or she, whilst not being a minor, by some voluntary and formal act other than marriage, acquires the citizenship or nationality of a country other than the Republic".

The Act further stipulates that the Minister may, upon receipt of such an application, allow the applicant to resume his former South African citizenship if he is satisfied with the facts presented before him.

Meanwhile, midfielder Dean Furman says Bafana Bafana need to win their games, especially the ones played at home, as winning breeds confidence.

The Superport United captain was speaking to the media a day before South Africa takes on Guinea-Bissau in an international friendly match on Saturday, 25 March 2017.

“It’s all about preparations for us. SAFA has done well to find two appropriate nations to play against as we prepare for the all-important fixture against Cape Verde in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers later this year,” he said.

“It’s not the same opposition but it will give us an idea of what we will come up against. We are familiar with Angola as we have played them several times. As for Guinea-Bissau they have shown that they are a good country as they qualified for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, so it’s going to be a very good game.

“One of the things that is vital for us is our home form. We have to start putting nations to bed when we play at home, when they come here they must know it is going to be very difficult for them. So we want to win these two upcoming matches, with the fans behind us, because winning breeds confidence.”

Furman says Bafana Bafana has assembled perhaps one of the best squads ever.

“It’s a great display on talent all over in the national team, we are all fighting for positions and no one knows if they are playing or not – and if you look at my position the competition is extremely high (Furman, Tiyani Mabunda, Hlompho Kekana, Andile Jali and Kamohelo Mokotjo) and everyone is on top of their game. We are all pushing each other to be better and that can only be healthy for us as the national team,” added Furman.

“Remember there are also some players who are not even in the team like Bongani Zungu, it’s great to have that competition and it’s difficult for the techincal team to select their starting eleven. Hopefully everyone gets a run in the next two matches and we keep on preparing and forming those formidable partnerships. I hope when those AFCON and World Cup qualfiers come we will have settled pairings and be ready to compete.”

The Bafana Bafana vice-captain added that it is also a chance for them as players to stake their places for the future.

“For all we know, the new coach could be watching the two matches from the stands or on television, so it’s all to play for as individuals. And we have a massive year ahead of us and so we want to start on a good footing,” he said

“We have to make sure we are at these big tournament because even now the hurt of not being in Gabon earlier this year is still there. Even though we are playing a friendly we cannot to take our foot off the pedal, we have to be full-blooded and go in one hundred percent as this is also a chance for us to impress.”

The clash against Guinea-Bissau will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday at 3pm. Bafana Bafana will face Angola in their second fixture on Tuesday at Buffalo City Stadium in East London at 7pm.

SAFA Media/The Department of Home Affairs

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