Sekhukhune United’s Bradley Grobler has voiced his deep frustration at
remaining on the sidelines of the national team, a situation that persists
despite his undeniable form in the Betway Premiership.
At 37, Grobler is not only the league’s current top scorer with six goals
but has also cemented his legacy by recently joining the exclusive club of
PSL centurions with his 100th top-flight goal. His consistency makes his
continued exclusion from Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana plans all the more
puzzling.
Despite these heroics, the call from the national team coach has not come, a
reality Grobler finds difficult to accept.
“Yeah, look, it’s tough, it’s frustrating, but at the same time, it’s
something that I would love to be a part of,” Grobler confessed. “The team’s
in such a great space at the moment, there are exciting things coming, and
it’s always a dream to be there, especially now.”
A sense of resignation, however, tinges his ambition. He feels his
remarkable achievements may still not be enough to change the coach’s mind.
“I think I can do anything within the league, I can score 100 goals, I just
don’t think he’s going to change his mind about myself,” Grobler admitted.
“It’s hard to accept it, but what more can I do? I’ll keep pushing, I’ll
keep fighting, but mentally, I do have that thing in my head where I just
don’t think it’s going to be real. That’s not to say I won’t keep trying,
but it’s hard, it’s difficult, but it’s life.”
Grobler’s last appearance in a Bafana Bafana jersey was over five years ago,
in a 1-0 win over Sudan in 2019, a fact that underscores the prolonged
nature of his international exile.
