Highly-rated leftback, Tsepo Masilela has welcomed his return to Bafana Bafana for the upcoming game against Malawi in Durban on December 22.

Masilela who was praised for his performance during the recent Soweto derby was one of the seven players called up for the game from Kaizer Chiefs.

“I am excited about the return to Bafana Bafana,” he told the media during the Club’s Media Open Day held at the Club’s HQ in Naturena on Wednesday.

“I am looking forward to working with the Coach Gordon Igesund and everyone at Bafana Bafana,” said the soft-spoken former Getafe leftback.

Masilela who played during the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2006 & 2008, Confederations Cup 2009 and World Cup in 2010 insisted that no one is guaranteed a position in Bafana Bafana; “I am glad that I am back in contention.

“I focused on my work at Chiefs and I knew that if I do well for the Club, opportunities will appear. At Bafana Bafana no one owns a place, having played for many years does not mean one is guaranteed a place.

The leftback added that his focus for now will be on the last two Absa Premiership encounters against University of Pretoria and AmaZulu before the team heads for the Xmas break.

“We are now preparing for the University of Pretoria; everyone knows how well they have been doing in the league this season. They are organised and have surprised many teams in the league this season. We will need to be on top of our game to bring maximum points to Naturena.

We have AmaZulu coming up immediately after the Tuks game and then I will focus on the Bafana Bafana fixture against Malawi,” added Masilela.