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Lorenzo Gordinho discusses level of competition in Bafana backline

Cape Town City FC defender Lorenzo Gordinho has weighed in on the level of competition in the Bafana Bafana backline.

Gordinho played for the national team in 2017 when Stuart Baxter was the head coach. He has one cap to his name, but he spent three other matches on the bench as an unused substitute.  

Bafana Bafana’s defensive solidity has been a point of focus in recent matches. Through their ten outings in 2024, Hugo Broos’ side has conceded seven goals.

LORENZO GORDINHO ON BAFANA BAFANA’S QUALITY IN DEFENCE

The centre-back has praised the quality of the defence that has been assembled, which has helped the team gather good results and improve the level of competition.

The SA defence consists of only PSL-based players from different teams. Mamelodi Sundowns has many defenders, such as Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Terrence Mashego, Mothobi Mvala, Thapelo Morena, and Khuliso Mudau, in the national team squad.

Bafana Bafana defenders during pitch inspection
Bafana Bafana defenders during pitch inspection. Picture by SAFA

Orlando Pirates have Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sekhukhune United have Nyiko Mobbie, and SuperSport United have Siyanda Xulu.

In the FIFA series in Algeria last month against Andorra and Algeria, two new defenders knocked on the door in Bafana. These are Pirates’ Thapelo Xoki and Siyabonga Ngezana, who play for Romanian giants FCSB. However, Ngezana withdrew from the squad because of a visa issue.

“It’s good to have this kind of competition in the national team,” Gordinho told FARPost. The level of the national team in the defence has increased a lot.

“The way the team is doing at the moment it’s very motivating. We’ve done really well in the previous games and AFCON. The players of Sundowns and how they are competing at that level is good.”

Gordinho further revealed his ambitions of representing the 1996 African champions if an opportunity came up.

“Yes, of course [I have ambitions to play for Bafana Bafana]; I think everyone is available for the national team, myself included. It’s something that you want to achieve as a player and as a professional. So it’s a motivation to try to play our best and get selected,” he added.

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