The 24-year-old has rediscovered his top form, staking a strong claim for a return to regular national team call-ups like in the past, and he has opened up on his rejuvenation. Now firmly re-established as a key figure for the Brazilians, with just three months to go to the global football tournament.

Although club football dominates headlines currently, South Africans are also looking ahead as Bafana are set to take part in the upcoming global bonanza. The Sea Robbers and Masandawana are in a tight battle to win the Premier Soccer League title, the same teams that are expected to contribute the majority of players to the national team.

The Belgian tactician has named his preliminary squad ahead of the friendly games against Panama later in March. The games have been lined up as part of Bafana's preparations for the global football bonanza in the middle of this year. Already, the coach's preliminary squad has been analysed, and questions have arisen on who should be in and who does not deserve a place in it.

The veteran midfielder remains one player the South Africa national football team could need at the global football tournament if he rediscovers his authority in the middle of the park. Currently used sparingly by Masandawana, he has yet to reach the top form that made him a dominant force in midfield. That has created anticipation over whether he can rise again and reclaim the midfield-king status he once enjoyed.

The Masandawana defender has insisted that his omission from the Bafana squad in their past few camps is not a concern for him as he focuses on helping his club achieve its targets. The defender has developed into one of the most reliable figures in Miguel Cardoso’s set-up this season, battling back from an injury-hit spell to re-establish himself at the core of Sundowns’ defensive unit.