Siyanda Ndlovu’s Bafana Bafana chance inspired by 2010 World Cup heroes

Siyanda Ndlovu says watching Siphiwe Tshabalala and South Africa at the 2010 FIFA World Cup helped shape his ambitions after the Mamelodi Sundowns winger was handed a surprise place in the Bafana Bafana squad.

Ndlovu, who grew up in Dannhauser in KZN, was only a child when Tshabalala and his team-mates represented South Africa at the tournament on home soil. Sixteen years later, the former Golden Arrows player has joined the national team for the first time.

His selection is notable because he was not included in Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad. However, head coach Pitso Mosimane could not overlook the 23-year-old after a series of impressive performances for Mamelodi Sundowns.

Ndlovu has scored two man of the match awards in the Carling Knockout Cup recently, performances which helped earn him a place in the final squad.

“The game I watched was in 2010, with the likes of Siphiwe Tshabalala and the way they were pushing,” Ndlovu said.

“They played in the way that I like to play, the one versus one. Coming to the national team, the guys welcomed me well. Others I have been playing have been pushing me, like Mshishi who told me keep pushing and that my chance will come.”

The winger could make his international debut when Bafana Bafana face Kenya in two successive 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The opening match will be played this Friday at Orlando Amstel Arena, with the return fixture scheduled for next Tuesday in Nairobi. Ndlovu is hopeful of being given an opportunity during the two matches.

“I am happy. When you are a footballer, what you dream about is to play professionally and play in the national team,” he said.

“I want to thank coach Pitso for giving me a chance because I have been working hard for this.”

Ndlovu admitted that his promotion to the senior international set-up had come sooner than expected, but said Mosimane’s decision was based on his recent form.

“I didn’t think it would happen so quickly. I thank the coach because he saw my performance, so he thought he should give me a chance.”