Kaizer Chiefs striker Bernard Parker is looking forward to representing South Africa for the first time at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) this year.
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Despite having turned out for Bafana Bafana at the Confederations Cup and World Cup in 2009 and 2010 respectively, Parker has yet to make his mark at an AFCON tournament.
But the Amakhosi ace reckons he's now ready to lead the attack for his country in the latest edition, starting with Saturday's opener against Cape Verde in Soweto.
"It is a great feeling to represent my country and to be part of this group of players," Parker told Chiefs' official website.
"Every footballer in the world aspires to represent his country and for me it is an honour to have been selected to be part of the group to represent the nation in the upcoming tournament.
"I am really excited having missed out on the last three, Afcon 2008, 2010 and 2012."
Having failed to win their last two warm-up matches against Norway and Algeria, critics have dismissed SA's chances of repeating their 1996 AFCON-winning success on home soil.
Parker, however, is positive Gordon Igesund's troops will come good once the competition proper kicks off.
"I believe in my teammates and I have no doubt that we will turn the tide come Saturday," he said.
"We are all motivated and looking forward to giving it our all for the country starting with Cape Verde on Saturday."
The Blue Sharks head into the weekend's encounter 18 places ahead of Bafana in the FIFA standings, and Parker reckons that's all the more reason not to under-estimate them.
"Cape Verde has been climbing the rankings and it is a demonstration of how far they have come and they will arrive with lots of confidence," he added.
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