Le Roux over the moon with Bafana shot

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is a man of his word, keeping to his promise of putting faith in young players as he builds to the upcoming 2024 Africa Cup of Nations and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

To prove this, the Belgian included 22-year-old midfielder Luke Le Roux in the squad to face Sierra Leone on Saturday and Botswana three days later in back-to-back friendly matches at the FNB Stadium. 

Le Roux, previously on the books of SuperSport United and Stellenbosch FC and now with Swedish topflight side Varbergs, is just simply over the moon. 

"Definitely unbelievable, I can't describe it in words. I'm a firm believer in God and I think all good things happen in good time, so whether it was two months ago or two months later, I think that was the right time for me," Le Roux told the media.

"So, just very happy to be here and now it's up to me to grab the opportunity."

Making the Bafana squad has also raised his stock and profile, which opens the door to going to a œbigger league in Europe.

"I believe so, I back myself and that's why playing week in and week out is very important, getting game time in good games, and then who knows what can happen in the future? I definitely want to move to a bigger league," he added.

"Whether I play or not [for Bafana], it's still the biggest achievement of my life so definitely I think being here will also be a 5-10 percent difference if I can take the next step in my career."

Meanwhile, SAFA have confirmed three injury-enforced changes to the initial squad named by Broos earlier this month, with defender Siyanda Xulu having already come in for Thibang Phete and Ashley Du Preez and Siyanda Msani coming in for Lyle Foster and Terrence Mashego.

By Mazola Molefe