Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will have more options in the striking department after Vitesse striker Simon van Duivenbooden acquired his South African passport rendering him eligible to represent Mzansi.
The Dutch-born forward has been doing his best to get the necessary documentation to allow him to play for South Africa in vain.
The 22-year-old lanky striker has not played for the Dutch national team despite his undoubted quality.
A dream come true for van Duivenbooden?
The forward did not feature in the concluded season due to registration issues, months after his campaign at Belgian outfit Patro Eisden – where he was loaned, was cut short by an injury.
Vitesse had loaned the attacker to ensure he gets more game-time after scoring a goal in 11 Eredivisie games which is in contrast to the 34 goals he managed in the 64 matches he played for the junior team.
“My dad was born in South Africa, and a lot of my family live here; I think South Africa is a very beautiful country and I always wanted to play for Bafana Bafana when I was younger, when I got the opportunity to get citizenship, I thought it was perfect,” van Duivenbooden told iDiski Times.
“I want to play for South Africa and I will work hard this season to get the attention of the national team coaches.”
What does this mean for Bafana Bafana?
Broos has been making regular changes in the attacking department in his bid to ensure he gets the desired results.
Orlando Pirates duo Zakhele Lepasa and Evidence Makgopa at some point last season were Bafana Bafana's main men in attack. Burnley's Lyle Foster has been on and off the team while Iqraam Rayners forced his way into the squad a couple of months ago.
If van Duivenbooden proves himself on the pitch, it will be a massive boost for the national team in future assignments.
