Cape Town – Reyaad Pieterse is relishing taking a leadership role in the youthful Bafana Bafana squad that will represent the country in the upcoming COSAFA Cup tournament.
The SuperSport United goalkeeper, along with Maritzburg Uniteds Siyanda Xulu, are the only players above the age of 25, in a youthful squad announced by Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter on Thursday.
Pieterse is likely to be the first choice goalkeeper having played a crucial role when Bafana Bafana won the 2016 edition of the tournament in Namibia.
He will be competing with youngsters Bruce Mvuma of Kaizer Chiefs and Walter Kubheka of Mamelodi Sundowns.
The squad will troop to camp this Saturday, but will only be in action on June 3, when Bafana get their COSAFA Cup campaign underway in the quarter-finals against the winners of Group A.
“Yes of course, it is always good to represent my country,” Pieterse told Vodacom Soccer.
“Most definitely, it is also a chance for me to lead by example being one of the experienced players in the team and also having been part of the team that won the tournament in 2016 in Namibia.
“It is a chance to learn and improve as a player and Im looking forward to playing in the tournament."
