Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Sage Stephens says his first call-up to Bafana Bafana at the age of 33 should inspire local players not to give up.
Stephens is part of the Hugo Broos squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
Stephens has been in the professional ranks for over 15 years now, playing for clubs such as Moroka Swallows, AmaZulu FC and Cape Town City FC. But in these years, Stephens had never received a call-up to the national team.
The Stellies goalie has been rewarded for his outstanding performances at club level with a call-up to the Bafana squad. shot-stopper has been impressive for Stellenbosch FC in recent seasons.
Last season, he played a pivotal role in Stellies’ successful campaign, which saw them finish third in the Premiership and qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup. His exceptional goalkeeping skills were also instrumental in securing the club’s first Carling Knockout Cup title.
This season, Stephens has continued his fine form, ranking second in the league for clean sheets.
He is currently in camp with the Bafana Bafana squad for their upcoming international fixtures. South Africa will face Uganda in Kampala on November 15th, followed by a home match against South Sudan in Cape Town on November 19th.
WHY THE BAFANA BAFANA CALL-UP AT THE AGE OF 33 SHOULD INSPIRE OTHER PLAYERS
“To have your first call-up at the age of 33, for me, it’s an incredible feat,” he said. “The only thing I would like to say is, ‘It’s never over until you decide it’s over’. Ultimately, everyone has their own journey and path to lead. The only thing I can say is never give up.
“If it happened to me at the age of 33, anything is possible for any young person at any club in the league or around the world. It’s just to continue working hard and believing in yourself,” he added.
SAGE STEPHENS SHARES THE EMOTIONS AFTER A DREAM COME TRUE
Stephens describes the moments after he officially got the call to confirm his call-up.
“The first person I spoke to was my wife. I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “Funny enough, as I said before, I can only control my performance. Ultimately, the decision lies with the coach.
“It’s been a week for me, an emotional week. Funny enough, the path has led me back to this stadium [Dobsonville] where it all started. If I had to script it myself, I don’t think I would have scripted it any better.
“To make my first call up at the stadium where I played my first football game, I am so very blessed and honoured to have this privilege.”
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