Mamelodi Sundowns’ Grant Kekana says he has his eyes set on regaining his form and working his way back into the South African national team.
The 32-year-old recently returned from an injury which saw him sidelined for two months and is intent on returning to the level which saw him nominated for last season’s Betway Premiership Defender of the Season.
He has collected 16 caps for Bafana Bafana and was last in the squad in the March round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, missing out on South Africa’s 3-0 win over Rwanda in October which saw the nation qualify for the tournament for the first time since hosting in 2010.
“I think that’s how football goes, it’s a game of seasons but every day I put it upon myself to come and do my best,” said Kekana, speaking ahead of Masandawana’s Caf Champions League second leg clash with Remo Stars on Sunday.
“I think my job is just to work as hard as I can knowing that I have the full support of my team, the coaches, to get back to the level that’s expected of me and that’s what I’m working towards,” he said.
Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso backs Kekana, believing he is justified in thinking he can return to the national team.
“We just heard from Grant what he stated here and I totally support [him]. Grant was a player that played the matches in the Club World Cup, and I don’t get tired to repeat, where South Africa saw probably the best football ever in its history. He was playing [in the] first eleven so it’s absolutely normal that he feels that he can play on the national team,” said Cardoso.
Bafana Bafana will next be in action at home on 14 November as they host Zambia in an international friendly. The venue for the fixture has yet to be announced.
Kekana will be looking to break back into the side ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco in December.
