 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
Cape Town City striker Kermit Erasmus says he was surprised to see his name in the Bafana Bafana squad named for the 2019 Caf African Cup of Nations tournament.
The nippy forward has been included in the preliminary squad named by coach Stuart Baxter this week and he says he always wanted to play for the national side.
“I was just having lunch with a few friends and was following the squad announcement on Twitter, and I was obviously very happy to hear that I was named in the preliminary squad,†Erasmus told Phakaaathi.
“I always wanted to get back in the national team, it’s been a while since I was last in the setup, around two years, so I’m really looking forward to it,†he said.
Erasmus was not part of the squad in their final Afcon qualifier in March and the former Orlando Pirates star said he understood why the coach overlooked him.
Having netted crucial goals for the Citizens at the time, Baxter felt that the Port Elizabeth-born forward was not fit enough as he just arrived from Europe.
“I always understood that it is the coach’s decision (when he was not called up in March). It did help motivate me to hear fans saying I deserved to be in the squad,†he continued.
“From my side, I just kept doing what I love doing – playing football and working hard every day at training. Everything will come in due time if you keep focused and put in the work,†said the striker.
Having left the Buccaneers for France giants Stade Rennais in the past two seasons, Erasmus also played for AFC Eskilstuna in Sweden as well as having a stint with Portuguese side Vitoria Setubal before teaming up with Benni McCarthy’s side.
“I work with coach Benni doing extra training after our sessions. It’s been great for me, I looked up to him as a player when I was a youngster, he was my idol, playing the same position as me,†he reacted.
“I love working with him, both a coach and as a human being. I’ve thought that if I become a coach one day, I would like to be like him,†said the forward.
With the 1996 African champions set to face off against Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Morocco at the continental tournament in Egypt starting next month, the former Feyenoord striker said Afcon is not about big names, but what you do in the 90 minutes.
“Some countries will think South Africa will be easy to play against. We have smaller players, but we make use of our attributes – our agility, speed, moving the ball quickly, we know how to play to our strengths,†he added.
“It’s not just about the name (of some of the continent’s big stars). It’s 90 minutes, and we’re all humans after all. Yes, some players play in the big leagues, but it’s not about names, it’s about how much you as a team and a player want it on the day,†concluded Erasmus.
AFF Suzuki Cup: Malaysia, Singapore and each participant's full squad, captain, star player and head coach
2021-11-25
AFF Suzuki Cup: Malaysia, Singapore and each participant's full squad, captain, star player and head coach
2021-11-24
AFF Suzuki Cup: Malaysia, Singapore and each participant's full squad, captain, star player and head coach
2021-11-24
AFF Suzuki Cup: Malaysia, Singapore and each participant's full squad, captain, star player and head coach
2021-11-24
AFF Suzuki Cup: Malaysia, Singapore and each participant's full squad, captain, star player and head coach
2021-11-23
AFF Suzuki Cup: Malaysia, Singapore and each participant's full squad, captain, star player and head coach
2021-11-23
AFF Suzuki Cup: Malaysia, Singapore and each participant's full squad, captain, star player and head coach
2021-11-23
Sports |
General |
|---|---|
| News | About us |
| Football | Contact us |
| Basketball | Privacy Policy |
| Tennis | Archive |
| Hockey | |
| LiveScore |
Social |
BetOdds24 App |
Contact us |
|---|---|---|
| @BetOdds24 |
|
[email protected] |
| @BetOdds24 |
||
| Google Play |