Kaizer Chiefs reserve team coach Arthur Zwane admits that his call-up to serve as Bafana Bafana’s assistant coach came as a surprise to him.

The 45-year-old was called up for Bafana’s abandoned international friendly match against Zambia set to take place in Lusaka last Saturday, but it was called off due to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

The South African national team then found a replacement in Madagascar, who they were set to welcome at the Orlando Stadium, but Safa confirmed that Madagascar, like Zambia, pulled out.

Zwane says he grabbed the opportunity to join the national team with both hands after football manager Bobby Motaung told him the news.

‘I received a call from Safa through the football manager [Motaung],’ Zwane told his club’s official website.

‘It was unexpected, but when such opportunities are presented to you, you embrace and honour the invitation with both hands. When the country calls you to serve, there are no two ways about it. It is nothing but a dream come true for me.’

Meanwhile, Shaun Bartlett led the Amakhosi MultiChoice Diski Challenge (MDC) to a 7-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, while Zwane was away on international duty with Bafana.