DURBAN – It's been a while since Ayanda Patosi represented Bafana Bafana but the Cape Town City man feels that he is not far off from returning to the senior national team.
Patosi returned to South Africa last season after spending six years in Belgium with Lokoren.
He showed glimpses of his best last term but couldn’t fulfil his potential because of his weight issues, something he worked diligently on in the off season to get himself back in shape.
On Monday Bafana Bafana coach, Stuart Baxter, announced his side to face Seychelles in back to back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers home and away. Patosi’s name was nowhere to be found but he is adamant that the Bafana call up is imminent.
“I’m closer to that Bafana call up. I’m working hard on it. I want to be back in the Bafana Bafana team. The more I’m playing at Cape Town City, the more I know I have a chance to go back to Bafana,” a confident Patosi said.
Ayanda Patosi during the 2018 MTN8 Final between Supersport United and Cape Town City on Saturday. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Patosi made his Bafana debut back in 2012and has earned 12 appearances while netting three strikes for his country.
“I’m still young at 25 years old. So, if I can get the call up I will be happy because people can see what I’m doing and the hard work that I’m putting on the field of play,” he added.
Patosi won his first trophy since returning to South Africa this past weekend as City swept aside SuperSport United 4-1 on penalties in the final of the MTN8 in Durban.
“It is the best feeling ever especially when you deserve the trophy. We played well. We were calm on the ball and we created chances. We should have won the game in the 90 minutes.
I’m proud of the boys and I’m proud of myself that I’ve won a trophy in South Africa,” Patosi concluded.