Luther Singh credits Cyprus league for Bafana return

Bafana Bafana forward Luther Singh has credited the Cyprus topflight division for his return to the national team fold for the first time in five years ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The 29-year-old attacker last featured for the South African national team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe in September 2021, having made his debut in March 2017.

With newly appointed Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane affording him a place in the team, Singh has attributed his inclusion to the standard and competitive nature of the Cyprus league.

“The league has helped me a lot, it's a very competitive league and has a lot of quality players, a lot of quality teams, big teams in the league,” said the Stars of Africa academy product.

"So, it's a good space for me to be in and it was the best place for me to be in at this moment to get myself back to the national team.

Notably, the well-travelled winger was recently inducted into the captaincy group at his club AEL Limassol, and says he feels appreciated and respected by the six-time Cypriot champions.

“I'm part of the captaincy, I'm not the captain but I'm the vice-captain. But for me, there's many leaders in the team and I believe also it helps me because it shows the appreciation that the club have for me,” Singh added.

"And it shows that they are seeing the hard work that I'm putting in and they respect and appreciate me. And for me also, even if I was not a captain, I always try to give my best for the club.

"I always try to give my best in every game that I play, which also helps me to keep going and also to help where I can and always give 100% for the club, for the national team wherever I play, in any game that I play it's just for me to give my best.

Bafana, meanwhile, host Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, before tackling Eritrea four days later at neutral venue in Cairo, where they are also set to lock horns with Egypt in an international friendly match.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

Related teams and leagues

South Africa

AEL Limassol

1. Division Cyprus