Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter insists that Lebogang Phiri will always form part of his squad, despite having tough competition in midfield, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

However, the 24-year-old has only featured once in South Africa’s African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Seychelles, although he is a regular for French Ligue 1 outfit Guingamp.

The Gauteng-born attacker has made 30 appearances in all competitions for the French club and has attracted interest from many cluns across Europe.

Baxter has now explained how difficult it is for players to break into the first team squad.

‘Lebo is in the picture all the time. He is one of the best professionals we have. He is a fantastic ambassador for our football abroad, he never puts a foot wrong. When I speak to his club, they love him to bits,’ Baxter said.

‘Of course he is always in the mix, but look we’ve got some good talent [in central midfield]. That’s the department where I think we’ve got most talented players. We’ve got Kamo [Mokotjo], we’ve Bongani [Zungu] and we’ve got home based players like Hlompho [Kekana] and Teboho Mokoena. You’ve got [Thulani] Serero who has got back and he has come back strong, so he is always staking a claim. Sometimes it’s just a case of you can’t get them all in.’