South African football fans are buzzing with excitement and a touch of disbelief as news breaks that Netherlands-born football star Simon Van Duivenbooden will be representing Bafana Bafana at the upcoming AFCON 2024.
The towering defender, known for his impressive height and defensive prowess, has just received his South African citizenship, making him eligible to wear the green and gold.
Van Duivenbooden, born in Uithoorn, Netherlands, has been making waves in the Dutch Eredivisie, playing for Vitesse FC. His football journey began in the youth ranks at Legmeervogels, Alphense Boys, Vitesse, and PSV Eindhoven, before returning to Vitesse in May 2021 after signing a professional contract. He scored his first professional goal the following year against the Go Ahead Eagles, and Vitesse extended his contract until 2025.
While he has never played in South Africa, Van Duivenbooden's South African heritage stems from his father, making him eligible for citizenship. His inclusion in the Bafana Bafana squad for the AFCON 2024 qualifiers has sparked a lively debate amongst fans.
Some are thrilled at the prospect of adding a player of his caliber to the national team, while others question the selection of players who haven't played in South African domestic leagues.
This debate is not new to South African football. In the past, players like Hans Vonk, Pierre Issa, Delron Buckley, and Marc Arnold faced criticism for their selection ahead of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Vonk and Issa ultimately made the final team that travelled to France, while Buckley and Arnold missed out.
Lars Veldwijk, another Netherlands-born player eligible for South Africa through his heritage, also faced scrutiny for his selection. He received his first call-up for the national team in 2016, making his debut in a friendly match against Mozambique.
He went on to feature in the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, but despite his appearances, he failed to score a goal for South Africa.
Van Duivenbooden's selection, like those before him, raises questions about the balance between promoting local talent and tapping into the pool of eligible players abroad.
While some argue that these players lack the experience and understanding of South African football, others believe that they can bring fresh perspectives and skills to the national team.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will have to make a difficult decision regarding Van Duivenbooden's inclusion in the final 23-man squad for the AFCON qualifiers.
The coach will need to weigh the potential benefits of adding a towering defender with experience in a competitive league against the concerns of some fans who believe that local talent should be prioritized.
