Marc van Heerden of Orlando PiratesBackpagepix

Marc Van Heerden opens up about his decision to leave Orlando Pirates

AmaZulu FC defender Marc Van Heerden has insisted that he holds no grudges against Orlando Pirates.

The experienced full-back was released by the Buccaneers last month having made only nine appearances in all competitions in one-and-a-half seasons at the Houghton-based club. 

Van Heerden had joined Pirates midway through the 2016/17 campaign from Chippa United, but he struggled for game time with Thabo Matlaba and Innocent Maela preferred ahead of him.

Article continues below

The former South Africa youth international then asked the Soweto giants to release him at the end of the 2017/18 campaign and he has since rejoined AmaZulu as a free agent.

Van Heerden is now eager to prove his quality at Usuthu, who managed to retain their status in the elite league. 

"I do not hold grudges but I was stressed at Pirates. That's why I decided to come back to AmaZulu. I want to prove that I can still offer a lot in football," Van Heerden told SowetanLive.

Lack of game time was the main reason the Johannesburg-born player has returned to Usuthu for his second spell with the club.

"As much as I was frustrated because of limited game time, it was a huge learning curve for me. It is such times that make you to be a better and stronger person," he said.

"I don't know why I did not play but I remained professional by doing all I had to do," he continued. 

Van Heerden attracted interest from two other PSL clubs, but he decided to return to the Durban-based side. 

"There were two teams that were interested but I decided to join AmaZulu because of their ambitions. The club have huge ambitions. I want to be part of that," he  revealed.

"This club is very close to my heart. It's a space that I am familiar with. The move is also good for my family," he continued. 

"We obviously want to win stuff. We will do our best to challenge for trophies," Van Heerden concluded. 

Who is South Africa's greatest export?

Thanks for voting.

Results will be shared soon.

Who is South Africa's greatest export?

    Advertisement