Luther Singh says AEL Limassol’s trust helped earn Bafana Bafana recall

Luther Singh says the responsibility and recognition he has received at AEL Limassol have helped him return to the South Africa squad after a lengthy absence.

The 29-year-old winger is in his third season with the Cypriot club, who have made an excellent start to the campaign and are joint top of the standings.

Singh has started every game and has shared the captaincy duties, serving as vice-captain. He says the role reflects the respect he has earned from the club.

“I’m part of the captaincy, I’m not the first captain, but I’m the vice-captain,” Singh said at a Bafana Bafana press conference.

“But for me, there are many leaders in the team, but I believe it also helps me because it shows the appreciation that the club has for me.

“And it shows that my hard work that I’m putting in, they respect and appreciate me.”

Singh, a Stars of Africa graduate, said his commitment to AEL Limassol would not have changed even without the leadership role.

“For me, even if I wasn’t a captain, I always try to give my best for the club and I always try to give my best in every game that I play,” he added.

“So, it keeps me going and help where I can and always giving 100% for the club, for the national team, wherever I play, in any game that I play it is just for me to give my best.”

Singh has long wanted another opportunity with the senior national team. Although he spent a considerable period away from Bafana Bafana, he said he never stopped believing that he would represent South Africa again.

“The goal was always the same,” he said.

“To work harder, work smarter and change many things for me to be able to come back and represent my country again.

“Like every other football player, you want to be part of the national team set-up, and I’m just grateful that I’ve got another opportunity to be here.”

The forward said he intends to make the most of his recall and continue working towards retaining his place.

“And for sure, I will grab it with both hands because the opportunity came again and we will continue to work,” he said.

“I always had belief and had hope that maybe one day the chance will come again, and this is what I worked for.

“Every day I put a goal to make sure that I keep playing and you never know what will happen.

“This is how football is and for me I always kept the belief and hope.”

Bafana Bafana are scheduled to play three matches during the current FIFA dates, against Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.