Pitso Mosimane has urged Mamelodi Sundowns defender Mosa Lebusa to show that he now deserves to play for Bafana Bafana.
Lebusa has been included in Molefi Ntseki's national team squad to face Mali in the Nelson Mandela Challenge in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
South Africa have already lost the services of Cape Town City right-back Thamsanqa Mkhize due to injury, and he was replaced by Bloemfontein Celtic's Tshepo Rikhotso.
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Erick Mathoho is also an injury concern, which could open the door for the former Ajax Cape Town centre-back to show what he can do.
Mosimane believes Lebusa's call up is long overdue after cementing his place in the starting line-up of the defending Absa Premiership champions.
"I have said it a long time with Lebusa, I think three or four months back, that he is as good as Buhle Mkhwanazi," said Mosimane.
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"He is left-footed, it gives proper balance. And Mosa scores. I think this year already he has scored two or three goals. So it's good for him to get a chance and opportunity to compete. He is naturally left-footed and he passes the ball well.
"He makes fewer mistakes, he is a fighter and scores goals. So I am happy for that. He should now show he deserves to be there."
The game against Mali will provide former national under-17 coach Ntseki with his first test since taking the reins from Stuart Baxter.
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