Former Kaizer Chiefs target Keanu Cupido says he has given up hope to play for Bafana Bafana after waiting for many years.
The versatile Cape Town City has been consistent for the Citizen and was seen as one of the players to strengthen the Soweto giants but the deal did not materialise.
Having played for the junior team, Cupido was seen as the future of South African football, but has since made just two senior team appearances with fringe players. His last involvement was during the 2024 Cosafa Cup.
I have lost motivation to be in Bafana squad – Cupido
Cupido missed out on the preliminary squad of the Bafana squad for the 2025 Afcon qualifiers, and after the final team was confirmed on Thursday, Cupido made his frustrations bare.
“In all honesty, I think I’ve lost that motivation to get on that list. Personally, I don’t have that feeling like ‘I want to go’ anymore, because I’ve been knocking,” the 26-year-old told iDiski Times.
“I have been knocking, but I don’t think they’ve called me up to the national team yet. I don’t know, for the past year and a half, almost.”
Cupido doesn't mind playing other positions
The defender says he doesn't mind playing in other areas if required because he has what it takes to fit in.
“I played in the midfield [during Cosafa], but that wasn’t my position, actually. It just happened before, that the coach said you’re coming in as a midfielder,” he continued.
“I was a little bit shocked because I’ve been doing well at centre-back, and I felt like I’m more comfortable there. But I’ve done well when he said I must go in the midfield. I don’t mind playing other positions.
“It’s good for me, personally, to play lots of positions. I feel like the coach, he felt like, I’m more comfortable for him in the midfield, I’ll be happy to play, but I don’t know which position I’m playing if I do ever go to the national team. If it’s midfield, I’ll be happy to, if it’s centre-back, I’ll also be happy to play there. But ja, hopefully, one day I’ll get an opportunity to go.”
Bafana Bafana host Congo on Friday, October 11 before facing the same opponent four days later.
