Fresh from helping Stellenbosch FC win the DStv Diski Challenge title, Athenkosi Mcaba has received a national team call-up ahead of next month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Morocco and Zimbabwe.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos included the Stellenbosch defender following an impressive display in the Diski Challenge and Stellies first team.
Mcaba started the season playing in the Diski Challenge; however, after a few games, he was roped into the first team, where he dazzled and played over 20 matches this season.
He also played a vital role in helping the team win the Diski Challenge for the first time this past weekend.
Talking after winning the title, Mcaba said he is now targeting a regular place in the national team and at the club level.
Mcaba said: “It has been a difficult year, a year of learning for us, and I think this title is just a reward for the hard work we have been putting on.
“But the job is not done yet. As a team we have to win the Diski Shield (top eight) title now , we cannot relax. For me personally, the journey is still long. I am looking at becoming a regular at club level and at the national team,” added the 20-year-old Mcaba.
“The journey is still long, I want to achieve a lot so this is just the beginning. I need to play my football and not relax because I’m a youngster. I have to prove myself to the coach, push and work hard and not hide behind the fact that I am a youngster.”
Mcaba made his Bafana debut in the goalless draw against Guinea in Belgium on 25 March.
Against France, Mcaba was an unused substitute when Bafana were thumped 5-0.
However, that was not his first time donning the national team colours, as he was part of the SA Under-17 team Amajimbos squad that lost the Under-17 Cosafa Cup final to Angola in Mauritius in 2018.
Stellenbosch reserves coach Evangelos Vellios said he is happy to have produced players such as Mcaba that the club can build around in the future.
Antonio van Wyk, Jayden Adams, Mcaba and Devon Titus made strides in their careers this season as they all graduated to the first team, gaining valuable game time and experience in Steve Barker’s team in the DStv Premiership.