ORLANDO Pirates defender Thabiso Monyane hopes playing in the Under-23 Africa Nations Cup (Afcon) in Egypt will enhance his chances of plying his trade overseas.
Monyane departed for Egypt along with the South African Under-23 national team where they will play two friendlies against the Afcon host country in Cairo on Friday and Sunday.
“There is enough amount of motivation (in the team) we need because there are the likes of Gift Links (Aarhus Gymmnastikforening FC, Denmark), Lyle Foster (Cercle Brugge FC, Belgium) and Kobamelo Kodisang (FC Braga B, Portugal) who are playing overseas, so we can also do it.”
Monyane said the experience he gained while playing for South Africa in the Under-20 World Cup in Poland last year will help him in the competition.
“We got an amazing experience through the Under-17, the Afcon and Under-20 World Cup. It exposed me a lot and I got to learn a lot of new things.”
The versatile player is enjoying the right-back position role that saw him become a regular at Bucs.
“Being substituted from a forward position to right-back at Pirates was mind game changing and I had to adjust.
“It’s a position I never played before and I have been doing good since being converted. I played pre-season as right-back and that’s when they (technical staff) told me they want to convert me because it’s a suitable position for me and it fits me like a glove.”
Monyane is proud of his growth through the ranks in the national set-up.
“I was called in the Under-17 national team when I was 15.
“I have been blessed to be part of that particular set-up and look at me now and it’s mind blowing.
“This has been an amazing year for me, from the World Cup, first team and now Under-23 national team. It’s good.”
Monyane is confident Pirates caretaker coach Rhulani Mokwena will release him, even though Afcon falls outside the Fifa calendar.
“We had a conversation with Rhulani and we spoke about this issue.
“He is actually pushing me to go and do more in the national team.”
Although Pirates have been struggling this season having won just two matches in seven league outings, Monyane is confident they will turn the corner.
“We haven’t been doing well this season, but we are looking forward to bounce back.”