Even his business manager Rob Moore admits to snl24.com/kickoff he is unsure of the player’s whereabouts, having lost contact with him some time ago.
It is a sad end for a player who at one stage was tipped to carry Bafana’s hopes at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but who faded badly into obscurity when he should have been in his prime.
A product of the UPE-FCK Academy, Van Heerden’s crowning glory in a national team jersey was at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was outstanding and gave a glimpse as to his rich potential.
He enjoyed successful stints abroad with FC Copenhagen in Denmark and Club Brugge in Belgium, and was also on the books of then English Premiership side Blackburn Rovers, though he did not play a first team game.
His last appearance as a professional came in May 2012 while on the books of Golden Arrows.
He tried to return to Belgium the following season but found no takers, while he also had unsuccessful trials at Major League Soccer side Kansas City in November of the that year.
Van Heerden won 38 caps for Bafana, scoring three goals, one in a famous win against Mexico at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup and two belters at the 2008 Nations Cup.
His last international appearance was in November 2009 in a 0-0 draw against Jamaica.
He was the first player to ever appear for Bafana without having played a full match of first team club soccer … his only experience in the professional ranks prior to his international debut was four minutes as a late substitute for Danish champions FC Copenhagen against Aalborg in May 2004, where he scored soon after coming on.
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