Cape Town - Mosa Lebusa has steadfastly refused to allow Bafana Bafana to kill his spirit. The 23-year-old Ajax Cape Town left-back has been shoddily treated by the SA national team selectors – but he’s persevered and continued to perform with consistency and class.
Lebusa was magnificent for the Cape side in a goalless draw with Kaizer Chiefs at the weekend – and, in the process, again reminded those who question his ability that he is one of the best in his position in the country.
Rewind to October last year and Lebusa’s fantastic form was rewarded with a Bafana call-up for a two-game trip to Central America. His ecstasy would soon turn to dejection...
In the friendly against Honduras, Lebusa was caught out early in the game, and the opposition scored. Only 15 minutes into the game, head coach Shakes Mashaba, somehow or other, in a friendly match, in which he is supposed to be running the rule over new players, substituted Lebusa. It was a strange, mind-boggling decision...
At the time, even former Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena was unhappy with Mashaba’s move, in that the former Portsmouth defender believed the coach was “killing” the player’s spirit.
But that is the nature of the shenanigans at national level… football, as Ajax coach Roger de Sa says ad nauseam, is a “game of mistakes”. Every footballer, at every level, from Messi to Maicon, makes mistakes, it’s just the nature of the sport. But, unfortunately, when it comes to Bafana, some players are more equal than others.
Some can err as much as they want, and it’s okay. Players like Lebusa don’t get second chances… need we be reminded about Moeneeb Josephs and Darren Keet? We all know what happened when they made mistakes… they were out, no second chances.
But, despite all of this, Lebusa has got on with his game. As the national coach, Mashaba is entitled to his opinion – he gets paid to make the decisions – but the Ajax left-back is now just content to assist his club, Ajax, to greater heights.
“Look, I wasn’t really that disappointed when I didn’t get another Bafana call,” said Lebusa. “There are many quality players in my position, and others also deserve a shot. All I can do is play well and focus on my club’s ambitions. If the Bafana call comes again, I’ll be ready.”
Lebusa was particularly chuffed with Ajax’s performance in the goalless draw with Chiefs – and he is confident that, after an inconsistent run in recent weeks, things are finally starting to turn for the Capetonians.
“It was a tough outing against Chiefs,” he said. “But we played well, especially in the second half, and, at the end of the day, I suppose, the one point is good enough. But it’s coming right now for us. I thought we were a lot more patient on the ball and, with the chances we had, we could have even won it… remember, Nathan (Paulse) hit the upright as well.”
Next up for Ajax will be PSL log-leaders and title favourites Mamelodi Sundowns, who the Cape side host at Athlone Stadium next Wednesday.
Lebusa can’t wait for the fixture: “We want to finish the season in a top-eight position (Ajax are currently in ninth spot), so we will have a go at them. We are at home, they want to win the league, they’ll feel some pressure, so we’ll go for it. It’ll be tough, though…
“For my money, Sundowns are probably favourites to win the PSL title, especially with the form they’ve been in of late. But, in football, anything is possible… and, if Sundowns slip up, Wits are still right in there – don’t rule them out.”
This week’s fixtures
PSL
Wednesday: Golden Arrows v Maritzburg Utd
Nedbank Cup quarter-finals
Friday: SuperSport United v Black Aces
Saturday: Free State Stars v Wits; Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates
Sunday: Polokwane City v Baroka FC
Cape Argus