Thabo Mnyamane has a chance to stake his claim for Bafana position

Thabo Mnyamane has an opportunity to nail down a place in a new-look Bafana Bafana in the two upcoming friendlies.

The forward makes his return to the national team for the first time since scoring on debut in a 2-1 friendly win against under Shakes Mashaba in Swaziland in Mbabane in March 2015.

Mnyamane has become a more dynamic‚ technically sound attacker since then‚ and a subsequent transfer from struggling University of Pretoria to structured‚ title-chasing SuperSport United at the beginning of 2016-17.

His six goals in all competitions and assists have seen Mnyamane recalled under caretaker-coach Owen Da Gama for the friendlies on Saturday against Guinea-Bissau at Moses Mabhida Stadium and on Wednesday against Angola in East London.

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The forward said he was happy to join the Bafana camp after a confidence-boosting 4-0 win for SuperSport against Sudan’s Al-Ahly Shendy in Atteridgeville on Sunday‚ for a 7-2 aggregate Caf Confederation Cup first round victory.

“Obviously the result gave me a moral boost and a bit of confidence. Coming into the camp I know that I have to fight for the jersey‚ I have to work hard‚” Mnyamane said.

“Because‚ yes‚ I can get results with my club but I also need to prove myself in the national set-up.

“I believe when two countries meet there is no such thing as a friendly because pride is at stake. I don’t see these games as friendlies – I see them as game that the country needs to win and showcase that we are still here as Bafana Bafana.

“I don’t believe you can regard any other country as a smaller team. Each country is special. And Guinea-Bissau and Angola are good countries – they play good football.

• Kermit Erasmus says his tense standoff with the Bafana technical team is a thing of the pastKermit Erasmus’s one-time clash with national team structures is in the past‚ the forward has said‚ and he has joined the current Bafana Bafana camp to focus on the present and the future. 

“Guinea-Bissau are a good team. We know West African teams are a bit physical. It’s going to be a tough match.

“If an opportunity presents itself in these games‚ I should score.”

Mnyamane (24)‚ spotted playing in Varsity Football by Tuks coach Steve Barker in 2013‚ is among a host of exciting young attackers called up by Da Gama‚ including Bidvest Wits’ Phakamani Mahlambi and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Percy Tau.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport