Mamelodi Sundowns defender Rushine De Reuck is delighted to have made the country proud after Bafana Bafana clinched their fifth Cosafa Cup trophy this past weekend.
The 25-year-old formed part of the South African national team that won the final held in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, along with fellow Sundowns teammates Sphelele Mkhulise and Lebohang Maboe.
De Reuck played a crucial role in helping create South Africa’s success at the tournament and managed to keep a clean sheet in all his appearances for Bafana.
“I am very happy that we managed to win the trophy, us as players had a big responsibility to do well for the country because we are not in a good state, [I am] happy that we managed to win and make the fans proud,” De Reuck told his club’s official website.
“It’s a great feeling. It starts, obviously, at Sundowns, that winning mentality and I felt like we took that to the national team. It is just really nice winning trophies – as a player that’s what you want, you want to be a part of that team and you want to leave a legacy.
“We know how many people are watching Bafana and watching our games, we knew that we needed to perform really well to make our fans proud and to make the people of South Africa proud. I feel like we’ve done that by winning the trophy.”
The former Maritzburg United defender was appointed as Bafana vice-captain for the tournament.
“I am embracing the new role of being vice-captain. I felt like I’ve done quite well because I needed to step up, be a leader and try to lead from the back [and] I felt I’ve done that. We’ve kept six clean sheets; I am very happy about that,” he added.
“It wasn’t easy, after we won the league, I went straight into camp with Bafana. I spent a few days at home and then back into camp again to play in the Cosafa Cup. It wasn’t easy but as footballers you want to be part of it, be part of that environment and be part of the national team as well, so we can’t complain.
“I am tired; I am not going to lie but it was worth the while for me because we won the trophy.”
