Due to turn 29 in July, Sibeko has never been called up for Bafana Bafana in the past. He has also never played in any junior national team since arriving at Chiefs from the School of Excellence eight years ago.
“There is always a first time for every player,” says Mosimane.
“If Sibeko is in form, why shouldn’t we call him up even though he has never played for Bafana before? We selected him on the good form that he has been showing at Chiefs. His age doesn’t matter, but what counts is how well he is playing at his club.
“His club mate David Mathebula has also been playing very well at Chiefs, but we couldn’t call both of them because they possess a bit of similar qualities. People have to understand that there are many players worthy of playing for Bafana but at the moment we believe in the ones that we have called up,” said Mosimane.
The former Supersport United mentor also took time to explain the decision to omit Elrio van Heerden and Nasief Morris, while including Steven Pienaar who has in recent times been reported to be struggling with injury.
“We always make a check list on players before we send call-ups. Nasief has just had an abdominal operation, while Elrio is also out injured and will even miss his club’s pre-season.
“Pienaar played and finished the last game for his club against Newcastle and that is why we selected him.”
Mosimane added that the door was not closed yet for other European-based players.
“The door is not closed as yet for players like Matthew Booth. Remember, we are not going to Nigeria to experiment, and we will not be experimenting in the next four games that we will play.”
