Orlando Pirates coach Rhulani Mokwena believes midfielder Ben Motshwari is good enough to play for Bafana Bafana.

Motshwari is yet to earn a cap for the South African national team but was previously named in Bafana’s provisional squad for their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.

However, Mokwena is confident that Motshwari has the quality to make it in coach Molefi Ntseki’s Bafana squad.

‘Look‚ the coach [Ntseki] knows [how he feels],’ Mokwena told the media.

‘I speak to coach Molefi Ntseki and I think he knows my stance on that.

‘And he knows how I feel about Ben Motshwari not being in the national team.

‘If you ask him he will confirm to you that we’ve discussed Ben Motshwari at length‚ but sometimes these conversations must be left for
coach to coach.’

Mokwena continued by saying: ‘We’ve had lengthy conversations with regard to the national team‚’ he said.

‘We’re fortunate to have a national coach that is very open.

‘He phones‚ he picks up the phone and he discusses when he wants information on players he wants.

‘He even discusses his call-ups and things like that.

‘So when you got a colleague that’s respectful to your opinions‚ I mean‚ you’ll wish them well and you’ll give them as much support as you can.

‘But now he knows that Ben is fully fit.

‘He’s fully fit and he’s definitely national team material.

‘I think we all know that. He’s definitely national team material.’