Bafana Starlet: It Was A Difficult Year For Me

Photo by Claudio Santana/USSF/Getty Images

New Bafana Bafana defender Tylon Smith says he was emotional after being called up to Hugo Broos’ squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Smith and Shandre Campbell are the only uncapped players to have made Broos’ squad for the tournament, which gets underway on 22 December.

Read: Stats: Bafana With & Without Foster

Talking to the media at the University of Pretoria HPC on Wednesday afternoon, the Queens Park Rangers defender said that he happy and grateful for the call up.

“First of all, I just want to thank the  coach for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team. I was at training that  morning when I found out that it was on SABC 2  and I found that it’s live and then I went on Facebook as there is no channel that side. I went on Facebook on my phone. And then as I was sitting when the coach said my name, I was grateful as a 20 year old, you know. And like I said also I was emotional because of where  I come from, you know and it was a difficult year for me but it was a great achievement and I was to be part of the team. So I was excited first when I knew,” Smith told the media.

Talking about his move from Stellenbosch FC to QPR, the 20 year old stated that mentally he was strong moving to the United Kingdom.

“To be honest, it wasn’t difficult for me you know. Mentally I was strong. Every single day I’m training, I would just give it my all, 110% every single day I’m training, you know. And I always said to myself before training, I won’t give up. My time will come. 

Read: Mofokeng Vs Nkota: Bafana Jersey Number 10s Over The Years

“I may just keep on working hard. And also like some people that motivated me also, it played a big part in my life also, you know. So to be honest, mentally I was  strong. And like I said I was just working hard every single day I’m training,” Smith concluded.

Bafana will take on Ghana in an international friendly on Tuesday 16th December in Gauteng before the team departs for Morrocco on Wednesday, 17th December. 

Related tags