Abia Nale has told kaizerchiefs.com that he is not discouraged after he was left out of the Bafana Bafana squad of local players preparing for a practise match against Swaziland this weekend and an international friendly against Zimbabwe next weekend.

Nale was in superb form during the month of December last year when the Glamour Boys won four out of six games. He also looked sharp at training when the Amakhosi resumed training during the second week of January.

“I am not discouraged but determined to work harder,” he said on Tuesday morning. “I am sure the national coaches want me to work at some areas in improving my game. The players that have been selected by the coach all deserve their place in the national team,” said Nale.

When asked about his sharpness at training, the player told kaizerchiefs.com that he did not have a rest during the Christmas break as he followed the programme given to the players before going on the Christmas break.

“I trained hard during the off season and when we came back I was in good shape. We have a tough month ahead of us and we all have to be prepared not only mentally but physically as well,”

Nale, who joined the Glamour Boys a year ago, has described his stay at Chiefs as ‘a good experience’. “I have learnt a lot both on and off the field. I have also learnt a lot about the culture of the Club. The fans welcomed me from day one and the only way we can repay them as a team is to win trophies,” concluded the Vaal-born player who has earned himself the nickname “Mlilo” after a hit from Durban-based group, Nuz.