South Africa 2010 a bit early for promising Claasen (News Feature)

By David Hein May 26, 2010, 5:02 GMT

Berlin - Daylon Claasen was invited to Bafana Bafana's World Cup training camps in Brazil and Germany knowing he only had an outside chance of making the final squad for South Africa 2010.

But the 20-year-old attacking midfielder is clearly one of the shining stars in South Africa's not-so-distant future.

'We love him. I think he will be one of the big good stars in Bafana Bafana very soon,' said South Africa's veteran coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

'He has all the qualities to be a very, very good player. That's why we kept him in the Brazilian camp and in this one. The boy is definitely very good.'

The main factor for Parreira not calling on Claasen for the World Cup was his inexperience, especially on a team which lacks experience in general. Just last year Claasen was playing in the U-20 national team.

The Klerksdorp native two years ago signed a four-year deal with Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam. But Claasen, who was the only overseas player at the Germany camp, has yet to work his way into the Ajax senior side - though he has trained occasionally with them.

'If you look at the background, that's what puts us in doubt. He has never played any games with the national team. He even never played in the first division for Ajax,' said the coach.

Claasen, himself, admits his time with Amsterdam has not been how he had expected.

'I thought I would stay one season at the young Ajax team and in the second I would start gradually into the main team, training with them and start playing in second team. I have trained a couple times with the first team. Things are going, but slowly,' said Claasen, whose deal goes until 2012.

'(Ajax management) haven't really said anything to me. But they are satisfied with my progress. But I would have preferred it to go faster. But as I said, it's up to the coach. At the moment I am happy at Ajax. I just hope that I get the chance with the first team.'

Claasen said his experience at the training camps will be invaluable on his return to Ajax, especially working under the watchful eyes of Parreira, who has guided five different nations to six World Cups.

'He's seen it all and he loves the game. There are no words to describe him. A coach of his calibre who is coaching you and giving you instructions, it's really I can't explain it. I'm overwhelmed that I can have this opportunity to be coached by him,' said Claasen.

'Coach Parreira is a very good coach. I learned a lot from him, including a different style and awareness of the game, and the push to improve my game.'

The 1.76-metre midfielder impressed observers last summer with his showing for the Amajita at the 2009 U-20 World Cup in Egypt.

He played the full 90 minutes in South Africa's first two matches and was subbed out after 68 minutes of a 2-0 victory over Honduras.

In the Round of 16, South Africa fell 2-1 in extra-time to eventual champions Ghana with Claasen playing the entire 120 minutes.

'The guys who played in the U-20 worlds were very competitive. You can see some of them playing in the top leagues in Europe after the World Cup,' he said of his time in Egypt.

'Playing the U-20 was a good experience for me. I found it very competitive and learned a lot for my football career. I feel very grateful for it because not a lot of players get that opportunity.'

Claasen admitted the physical nature of the senior side has been the biggest adjustment of going from the Amajita to the Bafana Bafana.

'I find it very physical. Your concentration level has to be much higher in games and practices than when you play against U-20 guys because it's another level of soccer. But I think I can cope with it. You just have to keep with it,' he said.

'I know I cannot compete with the other players physically. So if you can't beat them physically then you have to beat them mentally and be more mobile.'

While Claasen reluctantly will have to watch the 2010 World Cup as a spectator, he is clearly on the right track to representing Bafana Bafana at future World Cups.