Bafana Bafana midfielder Katlego Mashigo wants to repay coach Helman Mkhalele’s trust in him by helping South Africa successfully defend their Cosafa Cup title.

The 21-year-old was called up to the national team after he helped Portadown FC survive their relegation battle to retain their status in the Irish Premiership.

Mashigo is no stranger to representing the South African national team, having previously turned out for the SA U20s (Amajita) at the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco.

The former Athlone Town midfielder has since revealed that his call-up to the national team was a “pleasant surprise” after he was named in Mkhalele’s final 23-man squad for the tournament.

“I was very surprised when I first saw that I got called up to the Bafana Bafana squad,” Mashigo told Safa.

“I then remembered that this was due to the hard work and dedication I have been putting in at my club Portadown since last season. I worked with coach Helman Mkhalele before at the 2019 All Africa Games Morrocco edition.

“Everybody knows who coach Helman is and what he has achieved during his playing days. And to be tracked and roped into the senior national squad by somebody of his calibre, it truly is both an honour and humbling. I just want to repay his trust by doing well for the team, play as many games as possible and help the national side to defend their Cosafa Cup title.”

On a club level, Mashigo recently put pen to paper on a new one-year contract with Portadown FC and has made 11 appearances across all competitions since joining the club in January 2022.

“I came to Portadown in January and it was coach Paul Doolin [former manager at Athlone FC] who ringed me to join him on that side,” he added.

“I got some proper game time after signing with them, featuring in 11 matches and also helping the team to survive relegation. I have now penned a one-year deal with them and my goal is to offer more to the fans of what I call the little glimpses they got to see of what I can really do last season.”