WCQ: Terrence Mashego ready to step up for Bafana
Bafana Bafana left-back Terrence Mashego had a winning debut on Saturday as he impressed in the 3-1 victory over Ethiopia in Bahir Dar that kept his side on course for top spot in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualification pool.
Mashego is likely to start again on Tuesday in the return fixture against the same opponents at FNB Stadium, and will hope to build on his solid display as he seeks to nail down what is clearly an ‘open’ position in the current Bafana Bafana set-up.
Mashego had taken over from Nyiko Mobbie, who moved to right-back, and will know that if he can keep performing then he is likely to get a run of games in the side.
“It was a moment that I will forever cherish. It was my debut, they always say the first time will remain in your mind,” Mashego said.
“Before the game, I anticipated a tough match because internationals are always tough, but what I noticed is that the experience I gained from the Caf Confederation Cup with TS Galaxy, that really played a big role for me.
“It prepared me for these types of games because of the travelling, weather, food and so on. It wasn’t that difficult for me to adjust.
“The first 10 minutes, to be honest, maybe it was butterflies, I made two wrong passes, but immediately something in my mind switched and I said, ‘you are now in the game, there is no need to panic, just be yourself’.”
For Mashego it is due reward for some excellent displays with current club Cape Town City, who he joined at the start of last season.
“This is a big moment for me, personally as a player this is something I have been preparing for. Last season when I joined Cape Town City, I told myself that I want to play in the national team.
“That is why I joined City, they are a very competitive team and when I am playing there, it is easy for me to be recognised. This is the moment I have been waiting for and working hard. I was not surprised when I got the call-up.”
Mashego said Bafana coach Hugo Broos has made it easy for him to slip into the role and says he must just use the talents that got him selected.
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“It was not difficult to adjust to what the coach demanded from me, because it was what each and every coach wants from a left-back. The first day when I came in, he called me and said he was impressed by how I played [for City], so I must stick to my strengths.
“But the only thing he required was that I must think about my role as a defender, which was to defend, and that going forward [on attack] is a bonus. He is a very good coach, not just football-wise, but he also wants to know you as a person.
“When I came in he asked me questions like, where do I stay, where do I come from. He wanted to know more about me than just football.”