20 June 2019 – Bafana Bafana striker Lars Veldwijk said he was beginning to enjoy life in the Bafana Bafana set up and on Wednesday, made a huge statement that he is ready to take his place if selected in the starting line-up.
The imposing striker scored a dazzling hat-trick in a practice game played between two Bafana Bafana sides after Angola had pulled out of the proposed game at the 11th hour.
That sparkling form must have given coach Stuart Baxter some headache on who to start upfront in Monday’s opener against Ivory Coast.
Showing some amazing mobility, Lars’ first strike was a cross from the right which he volleyed into the net.
His second, which the strike himself said he enjoyed it, was another volley from the right which gave Darren Keet no chance before completing his day with a goal from the spot kick.
“I am adjusting to the Bafana Bafana life; yes, it is a different culture from Holland but I am really beginning to like it; it is getting better and better.
“I first came in this set up two years ago and have been part of this family now and cannot keep saying I am still adjusting to African style. I however, feel I can still get better and the guys need to know me more,” said Lars.
He said this Bafana Bafana team had what it takes to do well in this tournament adding that the three weeks the team has been in camp, has been wonderful.
“We have had good preparations so far – in Johannesburg, Dubai and now here. We had a good practice match among ourselves on Wednesday and it was nice for me to score some goals. For me it is only to prove to the coach that I am ready and hopefully I showed him enough,” he said with a smile.
“On whether I start or not, it is not up to me but to the coach but mine is just to show the coach what I can do and I am happy that I am making a positive contribution,” he said adding that preparations in Egypt were just to fine tune certain areas before the commencement of the tournament.
Lars said it was good for coach Baxter to have a headache on who to select and who to leave out of the starting line-up.
“It is now up to the coach on who will play but I think we have lots of quality in the team and all the 23 players are ready for it.”
South Africa open their AFCON account with a match against Ivory Coast on 24 June and four days later play Namibia before finishing their group stage matches with a potential cracker against Morocco on 1 July.
FAN ALERT!!!
While most fans won’t be able to travel to Egypt, SAFA is urging fans rally behind Bafana Bafana and play the SAFA Predictor Game where they can predict scores for the AFCON 2019 and stand a chance to win exciting prizes. To start playing, CLICK HERE