Orlando Pirates right-back Deano van Rooyen has revealed his cousin Ashley Du Preez encouraged him to move to Johannesburg and join the Buccaneers.
Du Preez, who joined Kaizer Chiefs in 2022, played with Van Rooyen at Stellebosch for several years. Speaking to Soccer Laduma, the Pirates defender said the presence of his cousin influenced his decision to move from the Cape Winelands to Johannesburg.
“Yes, my cousin [Du Preez] told me that I could come to Joburg as there was nothing bad,” he told the publication.
Van Rooyen was influenced by cousin to join Orlando Pirates
“He advised me to follow my dreams and join Pirates. The only problem now is we don’t meet that much because we were rivals but we text each other more often to check on each other.”
“But I had to sacrifice the other family as they are still in Cape Town; also you know in Cape Town I used to be indoors and just go the mall to buy groceries but here things are so far apart and then there is the traffic on the roads,” he added.
Van Rooyen has settled well at Orlando Pirates and has already played five league games so far. He has the support system he needs to become successful and given that both his ex-teammates(Du Preez and Iqraam Rayners) are all in Gauteng, his move to Pirates should be a success.
“I think that’s the main difference for now. But I am getting used to life in Gauteng now,” he added.
Van Rooyen could meet his former side Stellenbosch FC for the first time when Orlando Pirates hosts the Cape side on Sunday afternoon.
How good has Van Rooyen been for the Buccaneers this season?
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