Vitesse striker reacts to Bafana call-up | Breaking News

A Bafana Bafana hopeful has reacted to his maiden call-up to the national team.

FARPost recently revealed that rising Vitesse Arnhem striker Simon Van Duivenbooden has received his first call-up to the South African national team as they prepare to do duty in the upcoming Cosafa Cup in July.

The 19-year-old has been going through the system of the Eredivisie club (Vitesse) who are known for developing some of the best young footballers in Netherlands.

He netted 17 goals in 23 appearances in the Dutch reserve league last season, which saw him get promoted to the senior team at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

Van Duivenbooden caught up with FARPost to share how his journey began.

“I started playing football at a young age at a club near my home (Legmeervogels). From there I went to Alphense boys which is one of the best amateur clubs in the country.

“After doing well there I was then scouted by Vitesse and I played for two seasons, scoring a lot of goals in the process. I then got approached by PSV Eindhoven who had a good offer and decided to join them.

“I played another two seasons there, but the chances of breaking into the first team were not really there for me, so I decided to return to Vitesse.”

After scoring regularly in the reserve league, senior team coach Thomas Letsch gave the bulky forward his debut in a 3-1 defeat to AZ Alkmaar and he later made another appearance in a 1-0 against Willem II.

“That feeling was fantastic (making his debut), something you will never forget.

“You work hard all these years with a goal to make your debut. Now it’s a matter of persevering and hoping for more.”

Having received news of his national call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming Cosafa Cup, the youngster could not contain his excitement.

“I visit home once a year to see my family and I think it’s a beautiful country – it would mean a lot to me to represent South Africa.”

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