Bafana Bafana newbie Luke Le Roux has revealed his best position on the pitch ahead of his national team debut.
The 22-year-old says he’s comfortable playing in the middle of the park, despite playing in attack in the early stages of his career.
Le Roux, the midfield maestro, has been consistent whenever given the opportunity to play at his club. This led him to become a regular starter at Varbergs Bols FC.
In the current season, he has played 22 matches. However, he has not scored or assisted for the Swedish side.
Le Roux’s versatility
“I can play as a six and an eight, being a 22-year-old in football these days. It’s like you young [but] you not old. 22 years it’s your time to shine, your time to come through now,” Le Roux told the media.
“Coming back to me, I think I’m good on the ball. I can stop counterattacks very well. I think I got good vision, and I think I can play between the lines and behind the lines. I don’t want to give too much expectations, but I will give 100% at all times.”
Le Roux further revealed that coach Hugo Broos’s philosophy of wanting to play youngsters in the national team motivates him. The SuperSport United and Stellenbosch FC academy graduate wants to cement his place on the Bafana squad and become a regular.
He strongly believes the current crop of players has got all it takes to conquer and start winning again.
“This was a motivating, a coach who says he wants young players, wants to play young players. It’s an extra driving force to me because I’m 22, and the coach said is looking for young players. I just have to do my job and work hard, and then my opportunity will come.
“I believe [we are the golden generation] because now in the national team, we have players between the age of 22 and 33. This is not a huge gap, but this is between 25, 26 years old in two years’ time. It’s the World Cup, it’s Afcon. I think that’s when we will be in our prime,” he added.
Le Roux is expected to make his debut against Sierra Leone or Botswana. Coach Hugo Broos stated that all players called on the national team will be given an opportunity to play and showcase their skills.
