Orlando Pirates defender Deano Van Rooyen says it’s an honour to be selected for Bafana after making Hugo Broos’ squad for two upcoming friendlies.
The 28-year-old excelled in his first season with the Buccaneers following his switch from Stellenbosch, and has been rewarded with his first national call-up.
South Africa takes on Tanzania and Mozambique in international friendlies on Friday and Tuesday, respectively, with both games taking place at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
An excited Van Rooyen said in the Citizen: “It’s an honour to be selected for the Bafana Bafana squad. I have been working hard to get this opportunity.
“You have to keep working hard, you never know when the opportunity will come.
“Now the focus is to get a chance in the two games and give my best.”
On his form this past season, the player added: “We had a good season at Orlando Pirates and a lot of our players gained a lot of experience playing in the Caf Champions League.”
Eight Pirates players were named in Broos’ final squad. Alongside Van Rooyen, club teammates Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mohau Nkota will all hope to make their national team debuts.