Cape Town – Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana says he was over the moon when he learned he had been selected in the Bafana Bafana squad for the COSAFA Cup.
Ngezana was selected into Stuart Baxter's squad for the ongoing tournament, and could feature in Sunday's quarter-final clash against Madagascar at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
The versatile starlet, who can also play in midfield, broke through into the senior ranks with the Glamour Boys under former coach Steve Komphela.
In 2017/18, he made 15 starts in the Absa Premiership and scored one goal.
Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "I got the news about the call-up via WhatsApp messages from my Kaizer Chiefs team-mates.
"I was asleep at the time and realised that my name was in the squad through those messages. I immediately called my parents to express my jubilation.
"I switched on the TV Sports Blitz channel and saw a repeat of the announcement. I couldn't believe that I made the 24, because many were in contention for places to be called up. I was well received by the technical team.
"This is a different level. It is a mature stage of the game. What's great is that Baxter gives you a chance to express yourself and he challenges your own views as well.
"The coach watched Madagascar play. We will be doing our best to produce what we practiced at training. We feel positive to reach the next stage. It is not going to be easy because all the teams came here to win, but as the host nation we should be the team to beat."
Kick-off is at 15:00.
Bafana Bafana Squad
Goalkeepers: Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Riyaard Pieterse (SuperSport United), Khulekani Kubheka (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders: Siyabonga Ngezana (Chiefs), Motjeka Madisha (Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (Maritzburg United), Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates)
Midfield: Wiseman Meyiwa (Chiefs), Siphesihle Ndlovu, Fortune Makaringe, Lebogang Maboe (Maritzburg), Aubrey Modiba, Craig Webber (SuperSport), Abednego Mosiatlhaga (Bidvest Wits), Neo Links (Sport Face, Egypt)
Strikers: Gift Motupa (Baroka FC), Lyle Brent Foster (Pirates), Ryan Moon (Chiefs), Luther Singh (SC Braga, Portugal)
