Orlando Pirates’ Ben Motshwari punted for Bafana call-up

Orlando Pirates midfielder Ben Motshwari could soon himself in Bafana colours, according to coach Rhulani Mokwena.

The 28-year-old only recently returned to action after missing out on a decent chunk of action due to a knock picked up following the Buccaneers’ second fixture of the season.

He was one of the standout players for the club during their 3-2 win over Polokwane City on Tuesday.

Ben Motshwari nearing closer to Bafana call-up

His mentor, Pirates interim coach Rhulani Mokwena was full of praise for his performance at Orlando Stadium

“I call him ‘Schwarzenegger’ and ‘Mike Tyson’ – he was outstanding [on Tuesday] and got a well-deserved man of the match award,” said Mokwena.

“He shows good leadership and I think you must ask him why he runs the way he runs; I think he’s on super-charge or auto-charge; he runs like crazy for 90 minutes non-stop – he’s unbelievable.”

Ben Motshwaru

Motshwari impressed in his first season at Orlando Pirates, earning a regular starting berth in a squad consisting of highly rated central midfielders such as Musa Nyatama and Xola Mlambo.

This was after he was brought in from Bidvest Wits, rising to become one of his new club’s key players.

Mokwena says he has been in contact with national coach Molefi Ntseki, and believes Motshwari has what it takes to make it in Bafana colours.

“I speak to coach Molefi Ntseki, I think he knows my stance on that, and he knows what I feel about Ben Motshwari not being in the national team,” he said.

“He will confirm to you, if you were ask him, we have discussed Ben Motshwari at length, and I think these conversations must be left with coach to coach, but he knows we’ve had lengthy conversations about this.

“He knows now that Ben is fully fit, and he’s definitely national team material; I think we all know that.”

Rhulani Mokwena

Orlando Pirates will next be in action on Saturday, 7 December when they travel to Polokwane for a league game against Baroka at Peter Mokaba Stadium.