Pitso Dladla says local knowledge gives Mosimane edge in Bafana talent search

Golden Arrows coach Pitso Dladla believes having a locally based manager in charge of Bafana Bafana gives the national side a significant advantage when identifying and tracking emerging players.

Dladla was speaking after Golden Arrows forward Ronaldo Van Neel was included in Pitso Mosimane’s preliminary squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Van Neel’s selection came as a surprise to some observers, although Dladla believes Mosimane and his technical team had been monitoring the striker well before his move to Abafana Bes’thende.

“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.”

Van Neel joined Golden Arrows from Hungry Lions at the start of the season after finishing as the league’s leading scorer with 13 goals.

The forward is still adjusting to his new club, but Dladla expects his influence to grow as he becomes more comfortable in his surroundings. The coach feels the qualities that made Van Neel a prolific scorer for Hungry Lions will become increasingly clear at Arrows.

He also believes the forward’s call-up could encourage other Golden Arrows players to target international recognition if they maintain a high level of performance.

Dladla identified Nhlanhla Gasa, Philani Khumalo and Sabelo Sithole as players capable of competing for places in the national team. He also urged other members of his squad to be more 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.

According to Dladla, injuries have also prevented some Golden Arrows players from presenting their case to Mosimane.

He pointed to Ayanda Jiyane and Ntando Mabaso, saying both could have challenged for inclusion in the Bafana Bafana set-up had they remained fit.

“With Jiyane, it’s so unfortunate that he got injured together with Mabaso. But I just believe that if Jiyane was injury-free, he could have gotten a national team call-up. Last season, he was one of the best centre-backs.”

For Dladla, Van Neel’s inclusion represents more than an individual achievement. He sees it as an example of the benefit of having a national-team coach who follows domestic football closely and is familiar with the country’s developing talent.

Mosimane’s return to Bafana Bafana has therefore provided a direct link between the national side and players competing in the local game, according to the Golden Arrows coach.

Van Neel was pictured being challenged by Thabiso Monyane of Kaizer Chiefs during the 2026 MTN8 quarter-final.