Being part of Bafana like a dream come true for Maart

ATLANTIS is a small town 40 kilometres outside Cape Town.

It lists model and actress Chante Holloway, a former Miss SA 2017 finalist, and award-winning sports television presenter Robin Adams, previously of Al Jazeera, among its most prestigious children.

Now the West Coast community can also boast a Bafana Bafana international in Yusuf Maart. The 26-year-old midfielder has long been the pride of Atlantis, ever since joining Soweto giants Orlando Pirates in 2017.

But although things did not go entirely according to plan at the Buccaneers, Maart never gave up on his dream of being a professional footballer, and resurrected his career at Cape Umoya United on loan before finding a home at thenglad Africa Championship side Sekhukhune United.

Maart was instrumental in guiding the Johannesburg-based club to the Championship title last season, earning Sekhukhune promotion to the Premiership.

Despite playing in a lower league, Maart’s performances never went unnoticed, and he was rewarded with a call-up to the locally-based Bafana squad that competed in the Cosafa Cup.

It was in Gqeberha that Maart really shone as he raised his second trophy of the season by playing an instrumental role in South Africa winning the Cosafa Cup.

He has since taken that form into the Premiership, once again playing a pivotal role in Sekhukhune’s maiden victory over Maritzburg United last weekend.

New Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who was not in Gqeberha for the Cosafa Cup, certainly heeded the advice of his assistant Morena Ramoreboli as Maart is now part of the senior Bafana squad to take on neighbours Zimbabwe and African powerhouse Ghana in 2022 World Cup qualifiers this week.

“It was something amazing for me when I saw my name in the 23-man squad. It’s like a dream come true,” Maart said.

“It’s a good feeling. I appreciate what the Almighty gave me. I am looking forward to going there and working and putting my effort in.”

Although the skilful playmaker may face a stern battle for a place in the starting XI for Friday’s clash against Zimbabwe in Harare, he will relish the experience of being part of the same squad as superstars Percy Tau and Luther Singh.

With Zimbabwe also boasting a host of players with PSL experience such as Kaizer Chiefs star Khama Billiat, Maart will also be going head to head against his Sekhukhune teammate Blessing Sarupinda.

He is hoping, though, to improve on his impressive Cosafa Cup, where he also faced Sarupinda in the group stages, and producing top performances at training in a bid to impress Belgian coach Broos.

“Basically, I need to give the same performance and more than what I did at the Cosafa Cup.

“I have to give 120%. I have to put everything in and do my best,” Maart said.