Bongani Zungu may have reason to be upset about his Bafana Bafana snub due to apparent double standards in the selection process, according to a former South Africa international.
Delron Buckley revealed this week that back in his day the European-based stars were paid more by SAFA to play for the national team than local-based players.
READ: Buckley reveals how SAFA divided Bafana
The former Borussia Dortmund, Arminia Bielefeld, Basel and Mainz 05 winger admitted this caused divisions within past national team squads, and felt it was unfair on PSL players.
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Today it seems the coin might have been flipped, with an argument to made that perhaps PSL stars are being treated differently to others when it comes to selection for the national team.
One of those others who feels aggrieved at the moment is Amiens midfielder Zungu, who could not contain his disappointment after not receiving a call-up for the latest squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
READ: Zungu angry and hurt by Bafana snub
READ: Khune, Matlaba make return to Bafana
Zungu took to social media to express his anger that despite what he feels is his best form again after injury, he will have to watch the two matches against Sao Tome and Principe at home.
Buckley empathises with the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder.
"We are not superstars... we are superstars in our own right, but when it comes to the team we all need to be treated the same way so people feel the same," Buckley tells snl24.com/kickoff.
"Imagine treating me differently and then... for example, your keeper... Khune. If he's treated differently to Zungu it's going to be unfair, so you can't do that you know."
Khune has rarely put on his goalkeeper gloves this season after Daniel Akpeyi cemented his place as Kaizer Chiefs' number one, and Buckley feels that his selection could cause resentment amongst other players who have been performing regularly.
READ: Ronwen opens up on Khune's return
READ: Matlaba speaks out on Bafana recall
"Now football's changed. Here in South Africa everything's about status and the club you're playing for. Everything's just changed from the time that I played to now," Buckley explains.
"It's taken by stardom, they are taken [selected] by stardom. I think everybody needs to be treated fairly and the same. I don't think anybody needs to be treated like superstars because unless you're Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi... but other than that, it's unfair.
"You are playing for a club overseas... I think it would be good to be treated the same as everybody else."
READ: Zungu forced into pay-cut in France
Meanwhile, Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki recently defended his selections in an interview with Sowetan.
"It's a fact that if we have 100 best players in the country and we have to select 25, there will be some who will be complaining and questioning why they are not selected," he is quoted as saying.
"We have tried to choose the best for this game based on the profile of the opponent. It's not like the players who fall outside of the 25 chosen players are not good enough for the national team. It's not to say that they will not have a place in the team in future."
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