Former Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates striker Katlego Mashego says Bucs striker Tshegofatso Mabasa should not be discouraged by constant snub by national team coach Hugo Broos.
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Broos has included Mabasa in his 33-player preliminary squad set to take on Congo-Brazzaville in back-to-back 2025 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifiers in October.
South Africa will host Congo on October 11 before traveling to Congo four days later.
Mabasa, who won the Premiership Golden Boot last season, competes with the likes of Iqraam Rayners, Percy Tau, Mihlali Mayambela, and Lyle Foster, amongst others, for a place in the final 23-man squad.
In September Broos told journalists that Mabasa's qualities were covered by Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners.
"I cannot say the coach Hugo Broos is playing with his feelings, remember he has a pool of players," Mashego tells KickOff.
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"I think he should be encouraged that he at least makes it into the preliminary squad of 33 players. I mean how many players do we have in our league?
"Regardless of whether he makes the final squad or not, at least he is in the reckoning. Meaning he is very close. He will get his chance. He shouldn't be discouraged now, he will get his chance.
"Club football differs from international football. Andy Cole scored too many goals for Manchester United, but he was not prolific in the national team. Hence, the likes of Teddy Sheringham, Ian Wright, and Alan Shearer were always ahead of him when it came to the national team.
"So this must not discourage him from doing what he does for his club, his chance will come.
"He is a goalscorer. He scores goals for Pirates, he scores them in the Champions League, and he has scored them for Bafana Bafana before, so it's not like it's anything new, he is national team material," he added.