Polokwane – Winning the game is more of a priority than earning his 50th cap, says Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
With 49 caps behind him, he was speaking ahead of his team's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo in Polokwane on Wednesday.
“It would be an honour for me to reach that milestone, but for me it starts with the team, we must do well first,” he said.
“Whatever comes after, which is obviously me getting my 50th cap, is a bonus. I would like to see us winning the game then I can maybe celebrate the milestone.”
Letsholonyane would join an illustrious group of footballers who have earned 50 caps for South Africa, including Aaron Mokoena, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Lucas Radebe, Benni McCarthy, John Shoes Moshoeu, Teko Modise, Mark Fish and Doctor Khumalo.
He reached his 49th cap last Saturday when he came on as a substitute in Bafana Bafana's 2-0 victory over Congo in Pointe Noire.
“Without taking away anything from them because they are a good side, I believe we can pull a double on them,” he said.
“I believe we can get maximum results. From what I saw, if we undermine them they will shock us. But I believe in our players and the team spirit that is prevailing, I believe in the technical team and I think we have what it takes to do well if we work harder than in the previous encounter.”
The 32-year old was the most-capped player in the current Bafana squad, followed by Tokelo Rantie with 23 and Dean Furman on 21.
Letsholonyane's first international match was a friendly against Malawi in September 2008.
“It seems like yesterday, but it hasn't been an easy ride,” he said.
“Every journey has its challenges and its no different to me being part of the national team. But I managed to overcome them and that is why I am still here, and I am glad I am here.”
He scored his first of two goals in a Bafana jersey two years later against Guatemala. The second came against Swaziland in 2013.– Sapa