Maritzburg United midfielder Deolin Mekoa is excited with his first call up to Bafana Bafana but admits he is very nervous.

Maritzburg United midfielder Deolin Mekoa is excited with his first call up to Bafana Bafana but admits he is very nervous.

Mekoa, a product of the School of Excellence, helped the South African u23 Men’s National Team qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

He comes to Bafana Bafana after travelling to Brazil with the squad and played in all three games against Brazil, Denmark and Iraq.

Prior to the Olympics, Mekoa played a pivotal role in seeing South Africa lift the 2016 COSAFA Castle Cup in Namibia.

“I feel great and also honoured to be here. It’s every boy’s dream to play for the senior national team and I am grateful for the opportunity,” said Mekoa after Bafana Bafana first training session at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit.

“I am confident of doing well because being in the COSAFA Cup squad and playing at the Rio Olympics gave me the boost to work harder which shows hard work pays off. First I was very nervous at my first training session around all these guys but now I am ok, and I am looking forward to many more sessions.”

Bafana Bafana face Mauritania in the 2017 Gabon Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday, 2 Septemer 2016 at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Kickoff is at 19h05.

Mekoa is hopeful of getting a chance to play as there are two matches – the second is the 2016 Nelson Mandela Challenge against Egypt on Tuesday, 6 September at Orlando Stadium.

“We have a very good squad and I have a lot of confidence in the guys, and also, playing at home increases our chances of winning. As for me, I also fancy my chance of playing and given a chance I will do the best I can,” added Mekoa.

He believes he will settle in quicker as there are a lot of familiar faces In the Bafana Bafana squad – players he went with to the Olympics and those he won the COSAFA Cup with – Keagan Dolly, Gift Motupa, Thabiso Kutumela, Thapelo Morena, Itumeleng Khune, Aubrey Modiba and Abbubaker Mobara.