Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele has responded to being left out of the Bafana Bafana squad and revealed how he plans to break into the national team.
Cele joined Chiefs in the January transfer window and has been one of the side's key players since. He has played in every match bar one due to suspension and delivered a Man-of-the-Match display in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinals victory against Stellenbosch FC.
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It was a surprise to some, then, when the industrious midfielder was not selected for the Bafana squad that played 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.
Shortly after announcing the final 23-man squad, Hugo Broos said he felt the Soweto giants were underperforming and therefore felt no need to select any of their players.
The side sits eighth after league 23 matches with an embarrassing 10 losses already this season, and the KZN Academy graduate believes once fortunes change for his club, he will be selected.
"[My plan is] To do what I have been doing, trying to help the team, and I think with the team performing and winning matches, it is going to be a natural, eventual thing for me to get a chance in the national team.
"It is my dream.
"So, I am just trying to shine where I am and win games. That is the most important thing right now for us," shared Cele.
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Even if Chiefs improve their performances, the 28-year-old's path to a starting place at Bafana will not be an easy one with with Broos having options that include Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Bathusi Aubaas and recently returned Jayden Adams in midfield.
The pint-sized star is in a race against time to recover from a calf injury and make the matchday squad for Saturday's Betway Premiership encounter against TS Galaxy at New Peter Mokaba Stadium.