Golden Arrows coach Pitso Dladla believes Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has been keeping an eye on Ronaldo Van Neel even from previous clubs, which could be the reason behind his inclusion in the national team’s preliminary squad.
Van Neel joined Abafana Bes’thende from Hungry Lions at the start of the campaign after an impressive season in which he finished as the league’s top goal-scorer with 13 goals.
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Dladla admits the forward is still adjusting to life at Arrows since his move but believes Van Neel will provide the team with a significant boost this season.
Speaking about the attacker’s Bafana call-up, Dladla said it highlights the importance of having a locally based national team coach who can monitor players over an extended period, including their performances at previous clubs.
“That’s what is good about having a local national team coach because coach Pitso and his technical team didn’t just start to know Ronaldo Van Neel here at Arrows,” he said.
“I’m sure if you can talk to them, they will tell you that know him and they have been following him. For us as a team, we know what Ronaldo is capable of, he’s still settling, he hasn’t adapted fully.
“I promise you once he acclimatise, you’ll see more of him. But it’s pleasing to seem him in that squad. We have many talented players, we have Gasa, Philani Khumalo, Sithole and etc.
“But as I said that as long as they play well and have ambitions. The likes of Aya Maxwele, Zwane, Shezi is one of the best right-backs in the country. They must be ambitious.
“With Jiyane, it’s so unfortunate that he got injured together with Mabaso. But I just believe that if Jiyane was injury-free, he could have gotten a national team call-up. Last season, he was one of the best centre-backs.”
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