Luther Singh ready to make most of Bafana Bafana return

Luther Singh says he is determined to take his chance with South Africa after being recalled to the national team by newly appointed head coach Pitso Mosimane.

The AEL Limassol attacker took part in his first training session with Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, having not been selected since August 2021.

Singh’s last appearance for South Africa came against Zimbabwe in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, during Hugo Broos’ early months in charge. At that stage, he was also finding it difficult to establish himself at club level.

However, the 29-year-old has gradually rebuilt his career in Cyprus over the past three seasons. He scored nine goals in 26 league appearances for AEL Limassol last season and has already found the net once in four matches during the current campaign.

“Yeah, like you know and like you say it’s been a long time since I’ve been part of the national team but the dream was always the same,” Singh said.

“The goal was always the same: to work even harder, to work smarter, to change many things for me to be able to come and represent my country again.

“So, like every other player, every other football player you want to be part of the national team setup and I’m just grateful that I got another opportunity to be here and for sure I will grab it with both hands because the opportunity came again. We will just continue to work and see after this.”

Singh believes regular football in Cyprus has played an important role in helping him return to international contention.

“The league has helped me a lot, it’s a very competitive league and you have lots of quality players,” he said.

“Lots of quality teams, so it’s a good environment, a good place for me to be in. It was the best place for me to be at this moment to get myself back to the national team.”

Singh was at AEL Limassol last season with FC Copenhagen attacker Thapelo Maseko, who went on to enjoy a successful World Cup with Bafana Bafana.

Now back in the national-team setup, Singh says his immediate focus is on continuing to improve and making the most of the opportunity provided by Mosimane.