Dutch-born Veldwijk gets another chance to prove himself in a Bafana shirt

Lars Veldwijk has been included in Owen Da Gama’s squad for two friendlies this month because “you can't just cast him aside”‚ the national team caretaker-coach said.

Dutch-born Veldwijk is eligible to play for Bafana through his father‚ who was born in South Africa.

He was named in Da Gama’s squad on Thursday for the internationals against Guinea-Bissau in Durban on March 25 and Angola on March 28.

The big centre-forward‚ who plies his trade with KV Kortrijk in Belgium‚ had an unimpressive debut for SA in a 1-1 friendly draw against Mozambique in Maputo on November 15‚ being replaced by Bradley Grobler from the break.

Veldwijk had been called up to ex-Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba’s squad for that match‚ and the 2-1 World Cup qualifying win against Senegal in Polokwane three days earlier‚ where the striker was not fielded despite impressing in training.

• Dutch-born striker Lars Veldwijk set for Bafana Bafana debut in MaputoDutch-born Lars Veldwijk will make his Bafana Bafana debut starting in Tuesday night’s friendly international against Mozambique in Maputo. 

Da Gama said it was only fair to recall Veldwijk‚ who had little chance to impress against Mozambique in a disjointed game where SA fielded a number of new players and untried combinations.

“In all honesty‚ he did not have a good start‚" Bafana’s caretaker-coach said.

"He set foot for the first time in his life in South Africa [that week].

“But you don’t just bring in a player and just cast him aside if he doesn’t start well.

“I remember myself‚ when I went to play in Belgium [for Beerschot VAC in 1984]‚ after my first match I thought they were going to send me home.

"A week later I scored a hat-trick.

• Veldwijk’s dad flies in to give new Bafana striker support ahead of 'biggest game of his career'Playing for South Africa in their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday would be Lars Veldwijk’s biggest game of his career‚ his dad has said. 

“So I base it on that.

"You’ve got to show confidence in players.

"You’ve got to allow them to settle.”

Da Gama had also taken charge of the match against Mozambique as caretaker‚ with Mashaba having been suspended for an outburst aimed at his Safa bosses on TV after the Senegal game‚ which led to the head coach’s sacking in late December.

With Safa not yet having named a new coach‚ Da Gama continues as caretaker against Guinea-Bissau and Angola.

 - TMG Digital/TMG Sport