James Musa is on the bench for tonight's international with South Africa. Photo/File
James Musa is on the bench for tonight's international with South Africa. Photo/File
The last Wanganui export to have represented the All Whites is telling 22-year-old James Musa to make the most of every moment he gets tonight against the Bafana Bafana.
If debuting reserve defender Musa should take the pitch against South Africa at Mt Smart Stadium, he will be the firstplayer with home ties to Wanganui to do so since another defender in Glenn Dods, who was part of the famous 1982 FIFA World Cup team.
Dods, born in Wanganui in 1957, earned 22 caps for New Zealand between 1976 and 1982.
His last two games for his country were at the 1982 world cup in Spain against USSR and Brazil.
Now working as a physiotherapist for Sportsmed in Adelaide, the 55-year-old Dods was very busy when the Wanganui Chronicle called yesterday, but was interested to hear of his connection to the modern international.
"I wish him all the best in making the All Whites," Dods said.
"Tell him, it's all about hard work and perseverance."
Musa, who at 22 is by no means the youngest player in this All Whites team which contains some 18-19 year olds, will be looking to follow Dods' path as the New Zealanders play this game with the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia firmly in mind.
South Africa may be understrength, but they did hold the Socceroos to a 1-1 draw on Monday night in Sydney, on the eve of the Australians departure to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The match is also crucial for interim All Whites coach Neil Emblen, who is being considered to take the job fulltime despite not submitting a formal application alongside around 100 other applicants.
Musa has had a strong association with Emblen staying with him while they both played for Waitakere City in 2011, before Musa flew out with the New Zealand team for the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
As coach, Emblen then selected Musa for the Oly Whites squad to go to the 2012 London Olympics, as well as the New Zealand A team which played Jordan last year.
Kickoff for tonight's game is 7.30pm on Sky Sport 3.
