Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner has reacted to his national team call-up, which came at the expense of the in-form Sipho Chaine.
Chaine has been in outstanding form for Orlando Pirates, registering 24 clean sheets across all competitions. The Buccaneers shot-stopper also earned further recognition with his inclusion in Bafana Bafanaโs squad for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.
His omission from the upcoming friendly matches against Panama has, however, raised eyebrows, with Leaner getting the nod instead.
Bafana will welcome Panama to Durban on Friday, 27 March, before playing a second match in Cape Town on Tuesday, 31 March.
WHAT LEANER SAID ABOUT HIS BAFANA INCLUSION
โFor me, this is my second time being called up. I was grateful to be here because I’ve been working toward this, and it’s always been my goal to play for the national team. So, I was very grateful to be called,โ he told journalists on Monday.
Asked whether he was surprised to get the nod ahead of Chaine, he said: โI don’t feel like I was surprised. In the prelim squad, it’s always five goalkeepersโฆ You always have to be ready because anything can happen. They can get injured, and you have to be ready. So if you feel like there’s always three and you feel like I won’t make the final squad, and when you do get a chance, you won’t be ready. So I was always readyโฆโ
LEANERโS IMPRESSIVE STATS THAT EARNED HIM BAFANA CALL-UP
The 28-year-old shot-stopper, who has guarded goals for Babina Noko in 18 games and kept nine clean sheets, featured in the friendly matches against Tanzania and Mozambique last year. โI played the first three or four games [for Sekhukhune] and got dropped for XYZ reasons, but it never stopped me from working hard because I believed in myself.โ
He has reclaimed the number one jersey at the Limpopo club, and the Bafana coach has rewarded him with a call-up.
Broos last week said this โwas a good occasionโ to bring Leaner to Bafana. โHe was already with us a few months ago, but I want to see him again,โ the Belgian explained the reasoning behind the selection of the former Durban City FC shot-stopper.
Leaner has conceded only five goals in 12 league matches. He said it was always his dream to represent his country and vowed to give it his best if he got a chance. The talented goalie will fancy his chances to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
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