Polokwane City star reacts to first Bafana Bafana call-up
Bafana Bafana midfielder Rodney Maphangule is hoping his first call-up to the national team will also help inspire his teammates at Polokwane City FC.
Maphangule has been included in the Bafana squad as a last-minute replacement for Orlando Pirates player Patrick Maswanganyi, who is injured.
He has been part of the Polokwane City side since the 2021/22 season while they were campaigning in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. He was at Black Leopards’ DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] side before joining ‘Rise and Shine’.
Maphangule joined the rest of the squad on their first day of camp at the Ranch outside Polokwane on Monday.
RODNEY MAPHANGULE WANTS HIS BAFANA BAFANA CALL-UP TO SERVE AS MOTIVATION
“First of all, I am grateful to find myself here [with the national team],” he told the media.
“It’s something that I have dreamt of for a long time to get an opportunity to play for the national team. I also think this will encourage other players, especially from Polokwane City, to see that it’s possible.
“It’s not only ‘Popo’ [Oswin Appollis] who will get such an opportunity. Slowly but surely we can all play in the national team.
HUGO BROOS ISSUES REASONS WHY HE SELECTED THE POLOKWANE CITY MIDFIELDER
Meanwhile, coach Hugo Broos has also explained why he chose Maphangule and Stellenbosch FC defender Thabo Moloisane.
“It’s simple, it’s the performances. I see him [Thabo Moloisane], and I see he [Maphangule] plays with Polokwane City. These guys have talent, and they deserve to be in the national team.”
Broos further hinted that both Molisane and Maphangule might not feature against Lesotho.
“The only problem now is that you can’t call six young players because you are playing in a World Cup qualifier. You don’t have the opportunity to play them immediately in the team. Imagine if they don’t play well and you lose the game.
Bafana Bafana will play Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday.
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