TS Galaxy goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi has sent a stern warning to Bafana Bafana goalkeeping teammates Veli Mothwa and captain Ronwen Williams, saying he is not joining the national team to add numbers.
Buthelezi was called up by Bafana coach Hugo Broos in the 23-man squad that will face Sierra Leone and Botswana in two friendly matches on the 24 September and the 27 September at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
The Bafana call up comes as the KwaZulu-Natal goalie has been in good form at TS Galaxy this season, keeping five clean sheets in the opening five matches.
His record of clean sheet was ended by his new national teammate Khanyisa Mayo in round number six of the league. But overall he has kept six clean sheets in eight league matches ahead of the national team camp.
Impressively, Buthelezi’s stat is better than those of Mothwa at AmaZulu, who has kept two clean sheets in eight league matches, while Williams is second behind him with five clean sheets in nine league matches.
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As this is the first ever call-up for Buthelezi in the national team, instead of absorbing everything, Buthelezi has other ideas.
“For me it is not about adding numbers, but obviously I’m going to learn,” said Buthelezi to iDiski Times.
“But as time goes by I want to get the chance. Even if I get the chance in these friendly matches we are going to play, I’ll have to make sure that I grab it with both hands.”
Growing up in Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal, Buthelezi said he was inspired by how Moeneb Josephs used to organize his defence when he was still playing.
“Someone I looked up to growing up was Josephs. I enjoyed the way Josephs commanded his area and the way he organised his defence,” said Buthelezi.
Josephs, who most of the time played a second fiddle to Itumeleng Khune with Bafana Bafana, proved great leadership qualities at the clubs he played for, especially at Orlando Pirates where he won many titles.
Story by Robin-Duke Madlala (@duke_robin).
