The SAB League imprint in the current Bafana Bafana team is so impressive, as no less than three players have graduated from the Leagues.

French based striker Lebogang Mothiba is in the national team for the first time and ready to get his international career on the road with a match against Burkina Faso on Saturday.

Mothiba used to play SAB football for Diambars FC, where he was spotted by current Bafana Bafana assistant coach Thabo Senong.

Apart from Mothiba, Themba Zwane and Andile Jali are two players who have also played in the league.

Owned by former French League 1 champions Lille, Mothiba is currently on loan in League 2 with Valenciennes.  The striker comes into the national team at the back of his first professional hat-trick for his club scored this past weekend against Orleans and he is ready to get started in the national team.

“It is a good thing to represent your country but you have to work hard because that pays at the end. This is a special week for me because I scored a hat-trick just a few days ago and the following day I had to take a flight to South Africa to honour my first call up. The senior team is no joke. You have great players here. I am young and I am learning from these guys that I used to look up to,” Mothiba said.

“I am in League 2, which is very good. They are aggressive there. Very fast and it is good for youngsters to get game time and develop. For me, it is about hard work and scoring goals. I am a striker. That is what I must do. I will have to trust myself and show people what I can do.

“We have to focus on the game against Burkina Faso. We have to win the game because we still have a chance to qualify,” the young striker said.

A reminder that tickets to the FNB Stadium are still available at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers stores.-SAFA WEBSITE.