Thabiso Monyane on AFCON miss, eyeing World Cup berth

Defender Thabiso Monyane wants to remain consistent for Orlando Pirates as he looks to play for Bafana Bafana at the FIFA World Cup following an Afcon miss.

Monyane says there is a massive improvement in his game at Pirates as he also received a number of Bafana call-ups, but the defender wants to remain consistent.

As things stand, Bafana coach Hugo Broos preferred Khuliso Mudau and Nyiko Mobbie for the ongoing Afcon tournament as they are through to the Round of 16.

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The Buccaneers’ right-back, Monyane reveals he was hoping to be part of the Bafana’s Afcon squad but he finds relief as looks forward to be part of the World Cup squad.

Speaking to Sowetan at AB Xuma Primary School in Orlando East, the Pirates and Bafana defender states that he believes he is edging closer to finally reaching his full potential.

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THABISO MONYANE ON AFCON MISS, EYEING WORLD CUP BERTH

Having featured in 16 outings for Pirates in the current DStv Premiership campaign, his progress was disturbed by injuries and loss of form – that led to missing the Afcon tournament.

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“I will do my talk on the pitch. I have the ambition to establish myself at Bafana…I mean the World Cup qualifiers resume after Afcon [only in June], so there’s a lot to look forward to,” Monyane said.

“I feel like I am slowly getting into the groove. I am working on a major goal and that is to become a more consistent player who reaches his full potential,” the Pirates defender said on Afcon and World Cup ambitions.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve regressed but in football, there’s always ups and downs…injuries.

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“Last season I didn’t receive any Bafana call-up but this season I did, which I think is a symbol of growth on my side.”

Fresh from a Grade 2 tear of medial collateral ligament injury he sustained versus Kaizer Chiefs in the Soweto derby in November, the 23-year-old Pirates defender wants to represent Bafana at the global showpiece, the World Cup.

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Speaking about their ambitions as Pirates sit at number five on the log table with 25 points, Monyane added that he feels good and they want to challenge for the league title.

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“It’s quite good to be back. The last time I played was against Kaizer Chiefs,” added the Pirates defender.

“I feel healthy and I am looking forward to the resumption of the league because I’ve been working very hard with the rest of the team.

“We’ve told ourselves that in the second half of the season, we will give our all and try to rectify all the mistakes we made in the first round.”

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