Owen Da Gama's recall of Kamohelo Mokotjo to start in the 3-1 friendly win against Guinea-Bissau on Saturday swept away the snobbishness displayed to overseas-based players in recent years.
Under sacked Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba, high-profile players had become ostracised. Mashaba appeared notably intimidated by overseas-based players exposed to a high level of coaching, especially someone as outspoken as Mokotjo.
But the man who earns rave reviews weekly for FC Twente in Holland gave glimpses of why he has one of the best pass completion rates in the Eredivisie.
Da Gama's view of Mokotjo stands in direct contrast to the former coaches' reluctance to travel to Europe to watch the likes of Kermit Erasmus, Keegan Dolly and others play.
Bafana meet Angola in a friendly in East London tomorrow night.
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport