Vasili Manousakis not against Gaston Sirino for Bafana Bafana, but…
Richards Bay head coach Vasili Manousakis says he’s not against the idea of Gaston Sirino being called up to represent Bafana Bafana.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star has labelled South Africa as a beautiful country and expressed his desire to respect Bafana Bafana.
“I have had a great time in this beautiful country. I love everything about it,” Sirino told the Sundowns digital magazine.
“If I get presented with the chance to don the national team colours, I would jump at the opportunity.”
GASTON SIRINO ELIGIBLE FOR BAFANA
The Uruguayan midfielder has spent five years in South Africa and he has acquired South African permanent residency.
Sirino has never featured for Uruguay senior national team which makes him eligible to play for Bafana Bafana.
Manousakis says he’s not against the idea of having the South American represent Bafana. However, he feels that will only be a temporary solution.
“If Sirino is good enough and he’s available to our national team, I’m up for it,” Manousakis told the media.
“But I think we mustn’t underestimate the talent that we have in this county. I mean Sanele Barns and so many players that are playing in the PSL are coming from the NFD.
“There’s talent there[NFD], there’s talent in the DStv Diski Challenge. We just need to invest the time and give them a coaching.
BAFANA QUALIFIED FOR AFCON
“So I’m more for the Sirinos because they get us what we need now. But if we going to build then we need to take another view,” added the coach.
Bafana Bafana have qualified for next year’s AFCON final. They will take place next year January in Ivory Coast. Many will be waiting to see if Hugo Broos will pick Sirino in his team.
Meanwhile, Manousakis is now the sole head coach at the KZN side. Pitso Dladla is now in the assistant coach role.
The former Cape Town City assistant coach began his head coaching role last weekend. But it was not the start he wanted after a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Orlando Pirates at King Zwelithini Stadium.
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