Confederations Cup
Van Heerden speaks out
2009-05-21 14:04
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Elrio van Heerden (Gallo)
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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana are determined to prove the country and the prophets of doom wrong and succeed in next month's Confederations Cup against some of the best countries in world soccer.
That was the promise made on Thursday at a cold Milpark Stadium by Belgium based midfielder Elrio van Heerden, who joined his Bafana teammates this week after completing his season with Club Brugge.
Speaking after a training session, the 25-year-old Van Heerden said he is itching to get back into the national set-up after an injury plagued 2008. He was out of action for 10 months for club and country because of a bad knee injury in training with Club Brugge after playing in the 2008 African Nations Cup finals in Ghana in January.
Van Heerden, a skillful versatile midfielder who can play in a wide or central role, said he was aware of the pessimism surrounding Bafana's hopes in the Confederations Cup where Bafana are in Group A with Iraq, New Zealand and the top side at present in world soccer, Spain.
In Group B are world champions Italy, Brazil -0 the Cup holders - the United States and African champions Egypt.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the semi-finals.
Said Van Heerden: "There may be some people in the country who are negative about our chances in the Cup, but believe me, the players are positive. The mood in the camp is high and we have plenty of time to prepare - and frankly, the players are determined to prove everyone wrong."
But Van Heerden, who came on as a late substitute in the 2-0 loss to Chile in a friendly played at Polokwane in February, said nobody was taking unknown Asian champions Iraq, or the All Whites for granted. "Ideally we need to collect six points against Iraq and New Zealand and then go into the final group match against Spain not under pressure of needing points from that match."
Van Heerden, who looked good in Ghana under former Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, is fighting hard to regain his place in the starting X1. "I only came back to Bafana when I was called up for the Nelson Mandela match against Cameroon in Rustenburg, and then played eight minutes against Chile. I missed all the African Nations Cup qualifiers last year which was a pity."
The diminutive Van Heerden admitted it would be like starting all over again with Bafana and head coach Joel Santana. "I have to prove myself at training. This is a fantastic opportunity for the players, the team and country and I believe we have the squad of players who can do well."
Van Heerden said he would be discussing his future with Brugge. "I have been with Brugge for three-and-a-half years and my contract ends in June. I am keen to renew my contract as I have enjoyed playing here. The reason nothing has been signed so far is the fact I was injured for most of 2008. I understand the club's view point, but should I fail to renew my contract, then my manager has other options open to me in Europe.
"But I am focused on the Confederations Cup and will make a decision on my future after the tournament."