BAFANA Bafana’s budding star striker Gift Motupa can’t wait for the new Premier Soccer League season to start next month.
Motupa (22), who scored in Bafana’s 2-0 win over Botswana in their Africa Nations Championship (Chan) first leg qualifier last weekend, rejoins Baroka FC on a season-long loan from Orlando Pirates.
The Limpopo born youngster is excited about going back “home” to Baroka where he started his career.
He helped Baroka reach the Nedbank Cup semifinal in 2015 and then played a major role in Bakgaga winning promotion from the National First Division to the PSL in the 2015-16 season.
Motupa was snapped up by Bucs after scoring 50 goals in the NFD for Baroka.
However, he was not a regular for Pirates and is happy to be returning to the Limpopo based outfit for the new season, where he will get more game-time. He believes Baroka will not battle relegation like they did last term.
Moputa is convinced Baroka won’t struggle like they did in their debut PSL season when they only narrowly avoided the axe.
Said Motupa: “I believe Baroka can do well in the new season. I am really looking forward to going back, as this goal for Bafana and being selected for the senior national team have really boosted my confidence.
“I can’t wait for the new season to start, as I will be able to play in the PSL week in and week out. But in the meantime, we (Bafana) have to beat Botswana on Saturday and qualify for the next round of Chan.”
Motupa was happy to get his first Bafana goal. He added: “I have scored a lot of goals for South Africa at youth level but scoring for Bafana for the first time was special.
“I aim to do it again when we meet Botswana on Saturday, if I get another chance.”
Bafana host the Zebras at Moruleng Stadium in the second leg of their qualifier on Saturday (3pm).
Motupa was a regular goal-scorer for the South African Under-23 side and now has nine Bafana caps under his belt.
According to new national head coach Stuart Baxter he could be one of the players to eventually feature in the senior squad on a regular basis if he stays focused and is consistent at club level.
