Recovered Claasen guns for action
Wits midfielder still dreams of Europe
Having spent nine years plying his trade overseas before coming to play in SA for the first time last season, Bidvest Wits midfielder Daylon Claasen still aspires to return to Europe.
Claasen, 28, who hails from Klerksdorp, North West, is yet to feature for Wits this term, after recovering from a knee injury.
“As a player you always want to take your career forward. For me, returning to Europe is one of the things I still wish for, but I am happy at Wits. One never knows what the future holds. Coming back was not a step back for me,” said Claasen.
During his stint in Europe, Claasen played for Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Lierse SK in Belgium, Lech Poznan of Poland and 1860 Munich in Germany’s second tier.
With Wits currently in-form, the midfielder knows reclaiming his starting line-up won’t be easy.
Wits coach Gavin Hunt has been consistently using the duo of Thabang Monare and Cole Alexander in the middle of the park where he plays.
“Yes, I am ready to play for the first team but it’s up to the coach. The team has been doing better than last season.”
Claasen has nine Bafana Bafana caps. While he still fancies his chances to return to the national team, his priority now is getting into the starting line-up at club level.
“The guys who have been in Bafana have been doing well. I can only hope that I get another [Bafana] call-up but at the moment I want to fight for my position at Wits,” said Claasen.