Former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper coach Alex Heredia believes the COSAFA Cup would have been the perfect platform to give Bruce Bvuma some international experience.
The Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper, who has been part of the national set-up for some time now, is not part of the second-string Bafana side that is going to compete in the tournament that will be played in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, from 26 June to 7 July.
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Mondli Mpoto from Royal AM, little-known Olwethu Mzimela of AmaZulu FC and Samukelo Xulu of SuperSport United are the three goalkeepers in the talented squad called up by Hugo Broos' assistant, Helman Mkhalele.
"Bvuma should have been part of the squad. We haven't got too many opportunities to test the national team players, you know, because we've been playing very important games like qualifiers, you know," Heredia says, speaking to KickOff.
"Yes, Bvuma was in COSAFA before, even in CHAN, but why not try him and see how he performs, you know?
"He's been doing well, so I think he deserves an opportunity. It's the prerogative of the coach to select him, but I think he needs to be there. It's my opinion.
"But coaches have different opinions and what Mkhalele has decided is not bad, but these types of tournaments give a chance to players who need to be tested.
"I know Mpoto very well, I worked with him. Actually, I'm the one who selected him when he was a young boy, but Bvuma is more experienced and more consistent.
"But I understand they need to try different people to see what is the level. But Mpoto is not playing regularly compared to Bvuma.
"But as for the selected goalkeepers, I wish to see them play one game each just to see how they perform.
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"Mpoto has played for the youth teams before, the U17s and the U20s, but Bafana Bafana is another situation."