Luther Singh has been in the Bafana Bafana wilderness for five years despite his good form in the Cyprus First Division.
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COMMENT
Bafana Bafana’s recent friendlies against Panama in Durban and Cape Town highlighted once again the national team’s failure to take their chances when they arise.
The lack of execution in front of goal is a major stumbling block and is undeniably giving coach Hugo Broos sleepless nights ahead of the departure to the Fifa World Cup later this year. Broos has currently placed his faith in English Premiership-based No 9 Lyle Foster as the team’s primary source of goals, but the Burnley front man is currently suffering a dip in both form and confidence.
There have been rallying calls for Broos to recall in-form Mamelodi Sundowns frontman Iqraam Rayners, but the possible solution to Bafana’s striking woes may be further abroad with the technical team possibly having to cast its gaze toward the Mediterranean.
Ironically, Foster’s cousin Luther Singh, who ply's his trade at Cypriot First Division side AEL Limassol, is in peak form and should be in line for a recall to the national team after last playing for Bafana under Broos against Zimbabwe five years ago.
The former SA Under-20 star recently expressed his disappointment at being continuously excluded from Bafana Bafana squads, telling Laduma, that “it does hurt” and that “it is painful sometimes”, particularly after the form, he’s been in for AEL Limassol.
Singh is the leading goalscorer for AEL Limassol after netting his eighth league goal against Omonia Aradippou over the weekend.
The 28-year-old’s current numbers demand attention having engineered a remarkable career resurgence under former Fulham and Wales manager Chris Coleman. Singh is squarely in his prime. He is no longer the raw, unpolished talent who emerged from the Stars of Africa academy to navigate the Portuguese lower leagues.
He brings a wealth of European pedigree that is highly valuable in international football having navigated the tactical demands of Portugal (Braga, Paços de Ferreira), Denmark (FC Copenhagen), and Serbia (FK Čukarički).
His versatility to play across the front line would be aso be a major asset to Broos’ charges.