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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Xoki was one of the Bafana standby Afcon players </li><li>But he only made his international debut last Thursday </li><li>He comments on his national team breakthrough </li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Orlando Pirates' Tapelo Xoki looks to break Mamelodi Sundowns' Bafana Bafana defensive stronghold - 'I’m hoping to kick on with the guys'

Players who made up Bafana Bafana's defensive line-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations were from Mamelodi Sundowns. Orlando Pirates centre-back Tapelo Xoki is keen on muscling his way into that defensive set-up.The Buccaneers star made his international debut against Andorra last Thursday after being a fringe player since 2023.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"It’s been one that I’ve been waiting for but I’ve had to stay patient also, it’s always an honour and privilege to represent your country, it’s every kid’s dream, and I’m grateful I've got to live mine,” Xoki told the media at OR Tambo International Airport.“So now I’m hoping to kick on with the guys – it’s been a great two weeks in camp, looking forward to more success with the squad. “I never looked at it as disappointment per se, I looked at it in a positive light that I’m very close, I was one of the guys on standby, which means I’m on the radar of the national team," he said.“So I was grateful for that, now I’m looking forward to making sure I stick around the team and try and keep performances consistent at my own club, to make sure I get more call-ups.”

WHAT XOKI SAID

The Bafana Bafana backline was dominated by Sundowns players at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.Captain Ronwen Williams manned the goalposts while Aubrey Modiba and Terrence Mashego were the left-backs. Khuliso Mudau was the right-back and Thapelo Morena was an option in that position although he is now being used in a more attacking role.Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana were the central defenders and Xoki will be trying to get into that space while also being preferred ahead of his Orlando Pirates teammate Nkosinathi Sibisi.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Pirates are left with 10 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-za/premier-soccer-league/yv73ms6v1995b5wny16jcfi3" target="_blank">Premier Soccer League</a> games and are also in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.Those are opportunities for Xoki to continue impressing Broos and hand himself a chance to be included in the Bafana squad for June's 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.

WHAT NEXT FOR XOKI?

Orlando Pirates' Tapelo Xoki looks to break Mamelodi Sundowns' Bafana Bafana defensive stronghold - 'I’m hoping to kick on with the guys' | Goal.com

South Africa&apos;s backline is dominated by Masandawana defenders and Tapelo Xoki is pushing to stake a claim in that set-up

Orlando Pirates&apos; Tapelo Xoki looks to break Mamelodi Sundowns&apos; Bafana Bafana defensive stronghold - &apos;I’m hoping to kick on with the guys&apos;

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