Bafana Bafana and St. Louis midfielder Njabulo admits it was frustrating not to feature in the Afcon qualifier against Morocco but believes the long trip home may have done him some good.
After missing due Bafana's back-to-back African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Liberia, Blom was recalled to the national team and made a more than 20-hour-long flight for the clash against Morocco.
READ | Tau, Blom finally arrive for Bafana duty
Although a spirited Bafana walked away 2-1 winners, Blom watched the match from the bench as an unused substitute, much to the frustration of the 23-year-old.
"It was a bit frustrating [not to play] to be quite honest because it was a long trip for me, but I took it positively, because I was also there to go see my family," Blom told journalists.
"So, I was like I didn't play it's fine, I just have to go see my family and then get back and keep on working.
"Mentally, it (being in South African) really helped me a lot and I think it calmed me down. I'm more relaxed now knowing they (family) are okay. They are doing okay. I can relax and get the job done on the pitch.
"I think as a professional player, getting those caps I think it's important. As I said, I was frustrated that I didn't play but it comes with being a professional soccer player."
Njabulo Blom is getting better everyday??? pic.twitter.com/OrQeWnHhIS
— Siya Ndlela (@siya_ndlela1) June 23, 2023
Fresh off his return from South Africa, a visibly exhausted Blom played the entire 90 minutes as City fell 3-1 against Rea Salt Lake in.
"We pushed him (Blom) for 90 minutes," City coach Bradley Carnell said post-match.
"We knew he didn't play any minutes (against Morocco) but to recalibrate your body for seven, eight hours of time difference is never easy, traveling across the world.
"You could see he was a bit gassed, but he stuck to it and he did well."
The defeat means City missed out on the chance to go top of the MLS Western Conference and will settle for second place behind Los Angeles FC with a three-point gap between the two teams.
Blom and Co return to action on Sunday for an away clash against San Jose.
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