The new dawn under Pitso Mosimane has offered Bafana Bafana players both a clean slate and continuity, with everyone required to earn their spot on merit.
Centre-back Thabo Moloisane is one of the players looking to return to the national fold after spending time in the wilderness following an injury-plagued spell at Stellenbosch before making the switch to Kaizer Chiefs this season.
The road back to Bafana Bafana will not be easy for Moloisane. Mosimane started his tenure with a solid defensive unit, conceding only one goal as his team beat Guinea 2-1 and Eritrea 5-0 in the Afcon qualifiers, before securing a 1-0 victory over Egypt in an international friendly.
Mosimane used all three matches to give players an opportunity, starting Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon at centre-back in the qualifiers, while Khulumani Ndamane and Orlando Pirates' duo of Lebone Seema and Nkosinathi Sibisi were given a chance against Egypt.
Given that Mosimane was pleased with his defenders, he will likely retain them for the back-to-back must-win qualifiers against Kenya next month. Moloisane knows that might limit his chances of making the cut, but he is not worried.
“I think we should give credit to the guys,” said Moloisane before revealing a conversation he had with a teammate, who was also previously with Bafana. “Last week, I was speaking to Mdu (Shabalala), saying ‘the line is long to get back to Bafana’.
“But at the same time, I am at a big institution that is watched by everyone. I just need to continue working hard. The journey is still long. I am a South African-born player. I have been in the Bafana set-up before, and I know what it takes to be there.”
Moloisane made his international breakthrough under Hugo Broos during his illustrious five-year reign. However, he failed to command a regular starting berth due to form and injury struggles.
Yet, given his bright start at Chiefs – helping the team maintain an unbeaten run in the league – he remains confident of a national team recall.
“I had a tricky situation last season, but I am sure that I am on my way back to getting back to my best. You can mark my words on that,” Moloisane said.
Chiefs will host Moloisane’s former club, Stellenbosch, at FNB Stadium on Tuesday night (7.30pm). He knows these are the exact matches where he must deliver a solid performance and catch the eye of the national team selectors – notably Mosimane – if he is to seal his return to Bafana.