Thabo Moloisane targeting Bafana Bafana return with Kaizer Chiefs form

Thabo Moloisane is hoping his strong start with Kaizer Chiefs can earn him a return to the Bafana Bafana squad after the centre-back last received an international call-up under Hugo Broos.

The new era under Pitso Mosimane has given South Africa’s players a fresh opportunity, while maintaining the principle that places in the national team must be earned on merit.

Moloisane is among those seeking to come back into the international fold after an injury-hit spell at Stellenbosch. He joined Kaizer Chiefs this season and has helped the club remain unbeaten in the league.

However, the defender faces a difficult route back into the squad. Mosimane began his tenure with a settled defensive unit, with Bafana conceding only once in victories over Guinea and Eritrea in the Afcon qualifiers. South Africa then beat Egypt 1-0 in an international friendly.

Mosimane used all three matches to assess his options. Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon started at centre-back in the qualifiers, while Khulumani Ndamane and Orlando Pirates pair Lebone Seema and Nkosinathi Sibisi were given an opportunity against Egypt.

With Mosimane satisfied by the performances of his defenders, Moloisane expects them to remain in contention for the back-to-back must-win qualifiers against Kenya next month.

That does not concern him, though, with the player confident that consistent performances for Kaizer Chiefs can put him back in the manager’s thoughts.

“I think we should give credit to the guys,” Moloisane said before describing a conversation with a team-mate who had also previously represented Bafana Bafana.

“Last week, I was speaking to Mdu (Shabalala), saying ‘the line is long to get back to Bafana’.

“But at the same time, I am at a big institution that is watched by everyone. I just need to continue working hard. The journey is still long. I am a South African-born player. I have been in the Bafana set-up before, and I know what it takes to be there.”

Moloisane broke into the national team during Broos’ illustrious five-year reign, but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter because of form and injury problems.

He believes his early progress with Kaizer Chiefs is evidence that he is moving back towards his best level.

“I had a tricky situation last season, but I am sure that I am on my way back to getting back to my best. You can mark my words on that,” he said.

Kaizer Chiefs host Moloisane’s former club Stellenbosch at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night, with kick-off at 7.30pm.

The defender recognises that such a fixture provides an important opportunity to produce the kind of performance that could attract the attention of the national selectors, particularly Mosimane, and strengthen his case for a Bafana Bafana recall.