“The result was not fine for us,” a disappointed Hendrick ‘Pule’ Ekstein reacted after Bafana’s loss on penalties against Malawi in the Cosafa Cup plate semifinals on Wednesday evening. “We really wanted to get through.”

The young Kaizer Chiefs midfielder came on for Gift Motupa in the 60th minute, being his first official cap wearing the South African national team jersey.

Ekstein also played part in the three practice games, but these didn’t count as official international friendlies, so no caps were handed out to the footballers.

“Playing for Bafana is a big thing,” Ekstein reflected on his official debut. “It’s every player’s dream to play for South Africa and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”