“When your team is doing well it rubs off on your performance in the national team,” says Kaizer Chiefs’ lanky defender Erick ‘Tower’ Mathoho. “If your team is not doing well, it affects your performances and you can’t undo that at the national team level.”

Mathoho spoke at the OR Tambo International Airport, while checking in for his flight to Mauritania where Bafana Bafana will play an 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania on Saturday, 5 September.

The Chiefs defender missed the recent matches for Bafana Bafana due to family commitments and injury. “It feels good to be back in the fold,” responds Mathoho, before he reaffirms, “it is always an honour to don the national team colours.”

Mathoho has 20 caps for South Africa, 17 of these caps are acquired since joining Amakhosi. He appeared the last time in the Bafana Bafana colours in a friendly international against Nigeria on 29 March 2015.

“Most of the present players in the camp are familiar faces,” confirms the 25-year-old. “Preparations have gone well and we are ready for the challenge.”

Mathoho’s Amakhosi teammate Itumeleng Khune is also in the South African national team squad. Khune is on 70 caps. Tsepo Masilela (51 caps) was also selected for the Mauritania clash, but the left-back had to withdraw due to injury.

“We don't know much about the opponents,” admits Mathoho. “However, we are professionals and soccer is global. We just have to go there and play to our strength.”

“I feel upbeat and positive that we are going to win,” concludes ‘Tower’. “I'm in a good frame of mind and ready to do duty for South Africa.”

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana will face Senegal in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Tuesday, 8 September. The match will be played at the Orlando Stadium (kick-off is at 19:00).

SQUADS

Bafana Bafana

Goalkeepers:

Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Aces FC), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United)

Defenders:

Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Zulu (Platinum Stars)

Midfielder:

Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), Mandla Masango (Randers FC), Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Daylon Claasen (1860 Munich)

Strikers:

Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth)

Mauritania

Goalkeepers: Mohamed Abdellahi (ASC Tidjikja), Mohamed Salahdine Saleck (FC Tevragh-Zeina), Babacar Toure (ASAC Concorde)

Defenders: Ali Abeid (ASAC Concorde), Abdoul Ba (Racing Lens, France), Moustapha Diaw (ASAC Concorde), Oumar Ndiaye (FC Mantois, France), Ousmane Samba (Aubervilliers, France), Abou Sy, Mohamed Wade (both unattached)

Midfielders: Moussa Baghayogho (ASAC Concorde), Khassa Camara (unattached), Yali Mohamed Delahi, Taghiyoullah Denne (both FC Tevragh-Zeina), El Hacen El Id (Levante, Spain), Abdoulaye Sileye Gueye (FC Tevragh-Zeina), Diallo Guideleye (Nancy, France), Samba Abdallahi Moussa (FC Tevragh-Zeina)

Forwards: Cheikh El Khalil Moulaye Ahmed (CS Constantine, Algeria), Adama Ba (AJ Auxerre, France), Boubacar Beyguili (ACS Ksar), Ismail Diakite (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Mamadou Ndiacko Niass (ASAC Concorde), Abdallahi Chegrane Tahmane (ASC Tidjikja), Ely Cheikh Voulany (unattached).