Luther Singh determined to seize Bafana Bafana return

Luther Singh is determined to make the most of his long-awaited Bafana Bafana return after working his way back into the national-team picture with a strong run of form at AEL Limassol.

Singh was speaking ahead of Bafana’s first training session at the University of Johannesburg on Monday, having been recalled by head coach Pitso Mosimane for the upcoming international window.

The 29-year-old has not represented South Africa since September 2021, but his recent form in Cyprus has helped earn him another opportunity.

Singh, who is also vice captain at club level, has contributed a goal and an assist in four appearances for AEL Limassol this season, building on an impressive campaign last term in which he registered nine goals and six assists.

His numbers have helped put him back on Mosimane’s radar, but Singh believes his return is the result of much more than what he has produced on the pitch.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been a part of the national team but the dream was always the dream and the goal was always the goal,” he said.

The former Braga attacker admits he had to make significant changes to his approach during his absence from the national team.

“I needed to work harder and I needed to work smarter and I had to change a lot of things for me to come and represent my country again and I’m just grateful that I got another opportunity and this time I’m gonna grab it with both hands.”

Singh returns to a Bafana side that has changed considerably since he last wore the national-team jersey.

South Africa qualified for and competed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reaching the knockout stages, while Mosimane has now returned to take charge of the team.

The winger believes the foundations laid by Bafana over the past few years give the team something to build on under Mosimane.

“We have to be very honest, the team has been very well in the last couple of years and we have to build on that and working with the coach as well, great things will come I’m sure.”

Singh now has the opportunity to turn his club form into a sustained international comeback.

Bafana face Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 26 in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier before taking on Eritrea in Egypt on September 30.

They will then face Egypt in a friendly on October 4.

After waiting more than five years for another opportunity, Singh has made it clear he does not intend to let this one pass him by.

The inclussion of Singh in the squad has come at a cost for Orlando Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi, who played in the recent World Cup.