Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe has been rewarded for his impressive start to the season with a call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad.
Maboe’s back-to-back man of the match awards and four goal contributions – two goals and two assists – have earned him a place in Pitso Mosimane’s first squad since returning for his second spell as South Africa head coach.
‘Remains a dream’
The midfielder was delighted to receive the call-up and said representing his country remained a dream.
“It’s really, really a pleasure to don the national team jersey. It is a dream for every footballer, for every kid that grows up. I can never take this milestone lightly,” Lebohang Maboe said.
The 31-year-old, who was the only Amakhosi player selected in Mosimane’s 30-player squad, will now have the opportunity to add to his 17 international caps during a busy upcoming international window.
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Bafana Bafana will begin with a 2027 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, 26 September.
Kick-off is at 18:00.
South Africa will then face Eritrea in Cairo on Wednesday, 30 September (kick-off at 18:00) before remaining in the Egyptian capital for a friendly against the hosts on Sunday, 4 October.
Productive start to the season
Lebohang Maboe has previous experience against Egypt, having been an unused substitute when Bafana defeated the Pharaohs 1-0 in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16.
His latest call-up comes after a productive start to the domestic campaign with Kaizer Chiefs, with his performances making him one of the standout players in the early stages of the season.
For Maboe, the opportunity represents another chapter in his international career as he looks to make an impact under Mosimane.
The Bafana squad will be hoping his current club form can translate onto the international stage as South Africa continues its campaign towards the 2027 AFCON.
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