St. Louis City midfielder Njabulo Blom has opened up over his failure to honour his recent Bafana Bafana call-up due to recovering from Covid-19.
South African duo Bradley Carnell and Blom continued their perfect start to their MLS campaign with a five-game winning streak when City defeated Real Salt Lake to maintain their place at the top of the Western Conference.
For Blom, who came on a late substitute, the clash was a first return to action after missing two matches due to Covid.
The 23-year-old midfielder was subsequently also unable to honour his call-up to national team for two back-to-back qualifiers against Liberia, much to the frustration of head coach Hugo Broos.
READ | 'I’m very angry about that ’- Broos prepared to take the US club to FIFA over Njabulo Blom situation
The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder has since provided some clarity.
"South Africa is my country," Blom was quoted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"I love my country. Like, it’s every young boy’s or professional player’s dream to represent their country. Obviously, I was disappointed that I couldn’t go, but it is what it is.
"I had to sit down and think if it was necessary for me to go to the national team, and I felt like I was sick at the moment, and I haven’t been training.
"I felt like it was good for me and the national team for me to get better and then get good training time. Hopefully, they call me next time."
Blom will hope to return to match-fitness in time for City's clash against Bongokuhle Hlongwane's Minnesota on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Bafana squad putting in the final preparations for Tuesday’s all-important Afcon qualifier clash away to Liberia after stumbling to a 2-2 draw at home on Friday night.
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