Gladwin Shitolo keeps up his Bafana hopes

by Graeme Jackson

Sunday Mar 22, 2020. 15:00

Golden Arrows defender Gladwin Shitolo says “everything happens for a reason” and he has not been discouraged by missing out on a chance to represent Bafana Bafana for the first time in his career.

Shitolo was named in South Africa’s squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sao Tome & Principe scheduled for this month, but the matches were called off amid the coronavirus epidemic.

“I’ve reached a point in life where I believe that everything happens for a reason. Yes, I was looking forward to the camp but there’s nothing I can do. All you can do is to accept,” he told IOL.

“It’s something that I’ve been praying for. It is a great feeling to be recognised by the national selectors.”

The defender has received a national team call-up before, as he was named in a 2014 squad for the Cosafa Cup under Gordon Igesund, but he did not feature in any matches.

“I never gave up. I remember when there was a crossover night at our church – we always have crossover night on the 31st of December and our spiritual father declared and said the waiting is over. I didn’t know what I was waiting for but I believe in those words,” he added.

“I wasn’t surprised about my Bafana Bafana call-up. You know when you are praying with faith and you are expecting something to happen. I was expecting the call-up. I wasn’t surprised but I was emotional about how God has been. I’ve given my career to God.

“The ability that I have is from him. It humbles me to see God working in my life. It motivates me to be a good human being no matter what.”

Shitolo has helped Arrows to seventh place on the Absa Premiership log this season, with the Durban side hoping to defend their spot in the top half of the log and return to the MTN8 competition next season.