Klate — EXCITING SuperSport United midfielder Daine Klate confirmed his rise as one of the best talents in the premiership when he was announced as the October player of the month yesterday

Kate, who has scored eight goals after 15 league matches this season - managed to force his way into returning Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's squad only a few days ago, and he said the award was reward for the relentless hard work that he had invested in his game over the past few weeks.

"The whole team has been playing very well and I would like to share this moment with them," he said. "But I have to keep my head down and keep working hard."

Klate shared the podium with his coach, Gavin Hunt, who was recognised as the coach of the month after effortlessly propelling the leaders to the premiership summit.

Klate said there were times when he wondered what he had to do to get the attention of the national team selectors after he was ignored by former Bafana coach Joel Santana while playing some of the best football in SA.

"It is true, there were times when I would be frustrated. But I was consoled by the fact that the players who were selected ahead of me were on form and they deserved to be in the line-up."

Port Elizabeth-born Klate said he was crossing his fingers that Parreira would introduce him during the friendly international against Japan on Saturday: "Port Elizabeth is my hometown and it would be something special if I am given a run at home. I am really looking forward to Saturday."