Pitso highlights local-coach advantage after Van Neel's Bafana call-up

Ronaldo Van Neel of Golden Arrows challenged by Thabiso Monyane of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2026 MTN8 quarter-final. The Golden Arrows player was a surprise inclusion in the the Bafana Bafana preliminary squad ahead of Pitso Mosimane's return. Image: BackpagePix Golden Arrows coach Pitso Dladla believes having a locally based coach in charge of Bafana Bafana gives the national team an important advantage when it comes to identifying and monitoring talent. Dladla feels Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane and his technical team had been monitoring Ronaldo Van Neel long before the forward joined Arrows, which could explain his inclusion in the preliminary squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Van Neel joined Abafana Bes'thende from Hungry Lions at the start of the season after finishing as the league's leading scorer with 13 goals. Although the forward is still adapting to his new surroundings, Dladla believes his qualities will become increasingly evident as he settles in. 'That's what is good about having a local national team coach because coach Pitso and his technical team didn't just start to know Ronaldo Van Neel here at Arrows,' Dladla said. 'I'm sure if you can talk to them, they will tell you that they know him and they have been following him. For us as a team, we know what Ronaldo is capable of, he's still settling, he hasn't adapted fully. 'I promise you once he acclimatise, you'll see more of him. But it's pleasing to see him in that squad.' Dladla believes Van Neel's selection could also open the door for more Arrows players if they continue performing consistently. The coach named (Nhlanhla) Gasa , Philani Khumalo and (Sabelo) Sithole among those capable of pushing for national-team recognition, while also challenging his players to remain ambitious. 'The likes of Aya Maxwele, (Nhlanhla) Zwane , (Khulekani) Shezi is one of the best right-backs in the country. They must be ambitious,' he said.