Portadown FC midfielder Katlego Mashigo says he is eager to build on what has been a superb season for him in the Irish Premiership and aims to help Bafana Bafana in their quest to defend the COSAFA Cup title.
The competition is set to start on 10-17 July 2022.
South Africa will face Mozambique in the quarter-finals of the regional tournament on the 13th of July.
The 21-year-old worked with coach Helman Mkhalele before at 2019 All Africa Games Morrocco edition.
He went on to say that the Bafana call-up took him by storm as it came the least he expected it and reckons that he wants to repay coach Mkhalele’s trust with some stellar performances at the regional tournament.
“I was very surprised when I first saw that I got called up to the Bafana Bafana squad. I then remembered that this was due to the hard work and dedication I have been putting in at my club Portadown since last season,” Mashigo told SAFA’s official site.
“I worked with coach Helman Mkhalele before and everybody knows who coach Helman is and what he has achieved during his playing days. And to be tracked and roped into the senior national squad by somebody of his calibre is truly both an honour and humbling.
“I just want to repay his trust by doing well for the team, play as many games as possible and help the national side to defend their COSAFA Cup title.”
The former Waterford FC man helped Portadown survive relegation from the Irish Premiership, having joined them in January.
“I came to Portadown in January and it was coach Paul Doolin (former manager at Athlone FC) who ringed me to join him on that side,” he added.
“I got some proper game-time after signing with them, featuring in 11 matches and also helping the team to survive relegation. I have now penned a one-year deal with them and my goal is to offer more to the fans of what I call the little glimpses they got to see of what I can really do, last season.”
Mashigo recently signed a one-year contract extension with Portadown and he is ready to guide the side to the promised land when the new season commences.
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