Broos names little-known Van Duivenbooden in preliminary Bafana squad for Afcon qualifiers

Simon van Duivenbooden celebrates scoring in the Dutch Eredivisie match between for Vitesse against Go Ahead Eagles at De Adelaarshorst on 13 November 2022 in Deventer, Netherlands. (ANP via Getty Images)

• Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named a 38-man preliminary squad for Afcon qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.
• Simon van Duivenbooden, who plays his football in the Netherlands and is of South African descent, was a surprise inclusion.
• He is 22 years old and plays as a striker for Vitesse.
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Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos on Tuesday named a 38-man preliminary squad for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers.

South Africa, coming off a commendable Afcon bronze finish at the delayed tournament earlier this year, will vie for a spot at the next edition via Group K alongside Congo, South Sudan and Uganda.

Broos will see his troops take on Uganda on Friday, 6 September at the Orlando Stadium before trekking to central east Africa for a clash against South Sudan on Tuesday, 10 September.

The Belgian-born Bafana boss has kept the base of his team together, while notably calling on some fresh faces .

Rushwin Dortley, Fawaaz Basadien, Thalente Mbatha made the cut while recalls for Luke le Roux and Evidence Makgopa are also on the cards.

However, one name that sticks out like a sore thumb is that of Simon van Duivenbooden.

At just 22 years old, Dutch-born Van Duivenbooden, who also holds South African citizenship, earned a spot in Broos’ preliminary squad, bringing attention to his dual heritage.

Having honed his skills through the youth ranks at Legmeervogels, Alphense Boys, Vitesse, and PSV, Van Duivenbooden returned to Vitesse in May 2021, signing a professional contract.

He made his Eredivisie debut later that year, coming on as a late substitute in a tough 3-1 loss to AZ.

Van Duivenbooden’s breakthrough moment came on 13 November 2022, when he netted his first professional goal against Go Ahead Eagles. His rise continued in January 2023, with Vitesse extending his contract until 2025, cementing him as a rising star.

Vitesse currently play in the Eerste Divisie, which is the second-tier of professional football in the Netherlands.

Broos is expected to cut down his squad to 23 players before the players arrive for camp next weekend.