Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa has reflected on the tough time of having to fight for his place from the bench and his return to Bafana Bafana.
Makgopa struggled with an injury after the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast earlier this year.
He had to fight hard to reclaim his position at the Buccaneers, competing with Tshegofatso Mabasa, who has been in form. The 24-year-old has also picked up his form for his club and has been rewarded with a call-up by coach Hugo Broos.
“I knew it was going to be tough. Every time you have an injury, it’s tough,” said Makgopa.
HOW EVIDENCE MAKGOPA NEEDED TO BE STRONG DURING A TOUGH TIME OUT WITH AN INJURY
“Mentally, it can affect you, and you have to be strong at some point. For me, I am glad that when I came back, I had a place to start on the bench because it’s tough as well for my team to be on the bench.
“So I can say I was fortunate enough to manage to come back. Even now, I know if I can play, I can make my way back to Bafana. So it’s good to be back in the team.”
BAFANA BAFANA STRIKER LOOKS FORWARD TO REPAY FAITH SHOWN BY HUGO BROOS
Makgopa is part of the 23-man squad that will face South Sudan in an AFCON qualifier match at Cape Town Stadium on Friday. He says the only way to reward the faith shown by coach Hugo Broos is to deliver on the pitch.
“The only thing I can say is you don’t want to disappoint such a person who has faith in you. So the only thing you have to do for him is just to push when you are given a chance. You just have to do whatever you have to do.”
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