Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Rushine De Reuck says it is a great feeling to keep winning, after the league winner lifted the Cosafa Cup with the national team.
While a relative international rookie, De Reuck was part of the leadership of the Bafana team that won the Cosafa Cup in Gqeberha on the weekend, serving as one of the vice-captains to Veli Mothwa.
The former Maritzburg United defender admits he’s a little tired after almost no pre-season but says it was worth it, winning with Bafana, and making the country proud.
“I am very happy that we managed to win the trophy, us as players had a big responsibility to do well for the country because we are not in a good state, (I am) happy that we managed to win and make the fans proud,” De Reuck told the Sundowns website.
“It’s a great feeling, it starts obviously at Sundowns, that winning mentality and I felt like we took that to the national team, it is just really nice winning trophies, as a player that’s what you want, you want to be a part of that team and you want to leave a legacy.
“We know how many people are watching Bafana and watching our games, we knew that we needed to perform really well to make our fans proud and to make the people of South Africa proud. I feel like we’ve done that by winning the trophy.
“I am embracing the new role of being vice-captain, I felt like I’ve done quite well because I needed to step up, be a leader and try to lead from the back (and) I felt I’ve done that. We’ve kept six clean sheets; I am very happy about that.
“It wasn’t easy, after we won the league, I went straight into camp with Bafana. I spent a few days at home and then back into camp again to play in the COSAFA Cup. It wasn’t easy but as footballers you want to be part of it, be part of that environment and be part of the national team as well, so we can’t complain.
“I am tired, I am not going to lie but it was worth the while for me because we won the trophy.”
