'Coming on as a substitute, you have to contribute', explains super-sub Mohau Nkota

The 21-year-old Al-Ettifaq winger was a half-time substitute in the 2-1 group stage win over Angola.

He didn't feature in the 1-0 defeat to Egypt but won a vital penalty after replacing Tshepang Moremi in the 76th minute of the 3-2 win over Zimbabwe that secured Bafana's place in the last 16.

It is likely Nkota will be a substitute once again for the upcoming clash with Cameroon on Sunday, but the player says he continue to play his part for the team.

Reflecting on the tournament so far, Nkota said in the Citizen: "I got a chance to kick and we won a penalty, but coming on as a substitute, you are someone who is supposed to contribute to the team. As a winger who plays forward, I was happy to contribute in the second half.

"Nothing was happening on the bench. We knew that the guys were capable of doing what they needed to do on the field of play, as winning was the only thing we wanted to do, and we were happy to get it.

"Sitting on the bench, you sometimes see things that can be improved on the pitch, but when you get onto the pitch, it’s not always easy to do so."

Looking ahead to the last 16 clash, Nkota added: "Whoever we play, we will be ready and prepared. We will show the hunger and focus we have always shown for the next game.

"It will be vital for us to recover and train well and also ensure that there are no injuries before the game."