Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter believes Thabo Nodada has earned the right to be in the national team set-up following his impressive showing for Cape Town City this season.
Coach Baxter announced his 24-man squad on Monday ahead of their upcoming back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Seychelles this month.
However, Nodada was named in the squad for his maiden call-up to the national team after leading the Citizens to the MTN8 title with a penalty shootout win over SuperSport United at the Moses Mabhida Stadium over the weekend.
OH MY GOD??♂️????????? pic.twitter.com/FOzYCvQ5iQ
— Thabo Nodada (@ThaboNodada26) October 1, 2018
Baxter insists that Nodada has shown maturity and growth in his game this season which led to his inclusion in the Bafana squad.
‘I felt in the past he was a bit erratic, but he’s calmed that down and seems a lot more structured. His energy is infectious and his desire. He deserves it,’ Baxter told the media.
??????
City midfielder @ThaboNodada26 receives the first National Team call-up of his career. A big moment for the young man, thoroughly deserved! ??#iamCityFC#Afcon2019Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/iL3xxS4U9j— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) October 1, 2018
Bafana Bafana will take on Seychelles in their Afcon qualifier at the FNB Stadium on 13 October with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix