SuperSport United midfielder Cole Alexander says he is honoured to have earned a call-up to Bafana Bafana, and is looking forward to playing under coach Stuart Baxter once again.

The 27-year-old, who previously earned a national team call-up last year against Swaziland, was roped in to replace Cape Town City winger Aubrey Ngoma, who was withdrawn after suffering a knee injury.

Alexander revealed his delight at having the opportunity to play for his country again and highlighted the fact that he is in a favourable position, having played under Baxter before.

‘I’m feeling very happy and honoured to be here, and I’m grateful that they’ve selected me to join the team here,’ Alexander told Safa.net after his first training session.

‘It’s unfortunate that Aubrey got injured, and I’m very disappointed to hear that, but at the same time I’m happy that I was chosen to come in, and I want to thank the coaches for selecting me and giving me this opportunity.

‘I know how he [Ngoma] feels. I got injured in Swaziland and I had to be sent home, which was a bitter pill for me to swallow, because it was my first call-up. I know it’s not nice, and I wish Aubrey a speedy recovery.

‘I worked with coach Stuart for one season and I’ve learnt so much under him.

‘Personally I would have liked to have done more in my year at SuperSport with him, but as a team we obviously achieved a lot. I’m just grateful to him calling me up now to the national team.

‘I still need to put in the hard work and most of us that were at SuperSport and have worked with him have an idea of what he wants, and I think it gives us a slight advantage.

‘I still think we still need to push hard and do well, but the coach is someone that rewards players that do well, and he’ll definitely call you up,’ he said.

Bafana start their Cosafa Cup campaign with a quarter-final tie against Tanzania on Saturday at 17:00.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/Backpagepix

– This story originally appeared on SoccerClub.co.za