By Ayanda Nyuswa

AmaZulu FC winger Mlondi Mbanjwa has earned his maiden call-up into the Bafana Bafana team for the upcoming FIFA Series of international friendlies that will take place in Algeria this month. Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announced a squad of 23-players for the series, which included the bulk of the players who claimed bronze at the 2023 Africa Cup of nations in Cote D’Ivoire, maiden call-ups and returnees to the national set up.

Among the new faces is 25-year old Usuthu winger Mlondi Mbanjwa who has impressed the Bafana Bafana technical team with his performances for the KZN outfit this season. AmaZulu signed Mbanjwa from Uthongathi FC at the beginning of the 2023/24 season, as he was one of nine signings made by the Sandile Zungu owned team to bolster the squad for the season. The skilful attacker has made ten appearances in Usuthu colours this season and scored one goal, which came in their 3-0 win over KZN rivals Royal AM.

“Mbanjwa we saw him and said yeah maybe he is an interesting player, and he plays good and he plays always for AmaZulu, so again it is really a fantastic opportunity for us in those friendly matches to do that,” Broos said speaking at the Bafana Bafana squad squad announcement press conference at the SABC Studios.

The Belgian mentor has compared Mbanjwa to Mamelodi Sundowns’ Thapelo Morena and believes he can get the job done in different positions.

“He can play right back, but I think he will be more useful one step higher as a midfielder. I can compare him a little bit like Morena, Morena can play all the line and it’s a little bit the same with him. And if you have players like him it is always interesting for the coach, who can play different positions on the same side,” the Bafana coach added.

South Africa will face European side Andorra on Thursday, 21 March and Algeria on 26 March at the home of the Desert Foxes.