Siyanda Ndlovu earns surprise Bafana Bafana call-up after Sundowns form

Mamelodi Sundowns winger Siyanda Ndlovu says he was surprised to be included in Bafana Bafana’s final squad after initially being omitted from the provisional selection.

Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane named a 38-man preliminary squad several weeks ago for the upcoming AFCON qualifying double-header against Kenya, but Ndlovu was not included.

The winger was subsequently handed an unexpected opportunity when Mosimane announced his final 27-man squad last week.

Ndlovu said he was grateful to the coach for acknowledging his recent performances for Sundowns and giving him the chance to represent the national team.

“I felt so happy because I didn’t feel that this would happen so quickly the way it did,” said Ndlovu.

“But then I have to thank the coach for what he did because he saw my performances [at Sundowns].

“And he felt he must give me a chance to be part of the team.”

Bafana will begin the two-match meeting with Kenya by hosting the Harambee Stars at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, 13 November.

The return fixture will take place in Kenya four days later.