Benoni’s chief in defence
Benoni High School is renowned for producing some excellent football players and names like Rowen Fernandez and Bradley Grobler are among the players who are continuing to fly the Benoni flag in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Another Benoni High School old boy, Lorenzo Gordinho (19), is finding his feet in the world of professional football.
The Farrarmere resident is a no-nonsense central defender who was promoted to the Kaizer Chiefs first team, from the reserve team, in January this year.
Gordinho is yet to make his PSL debut, but featured for Chiefs in the team’s recent preseason Gauteng Cup victory, against the University of Pretoria.
The centre back, who models his game on Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro, said he was so nervous before the final of the Gauteng Cup that he couldn’t even tie his shoelaces.
“Once I got onto the field I started to relax and began to find my zone,” he said.
The defender grew up playing football for Old Bens and Benoni Northerns, and spent some time in the Orlando Pirates development side, as well as a stint in the Kaizer Chiefs development side, before moving up to the Chiefs reserves.
Speaking about playing under former Bafana Bafana coach, Stuart Baxter, the Amakhosi player said: “He is very professional and goes about his job well.
“He is a very calm person, but demands that his players work hard.”
Gordinho comes from a family of gifted football players and the sport runs through his veins.
His father, Manny Faria, played for Orlando Pirates while his brother, Anthony (currently in matric at Benoni High School), is also a talented footballer who plays for the Kaizer Chiefs reserves.
Gordinho is keen to make his mark for Chiefs but realises that he has a tough task ahead of him to break into the 18-man match day squad.
“The club has some excellent centre backs and each one teaches me something new every time we train together,” he said.
“I know that I will need to keep working hard, so that, when my opportunity comes I can take it well.”
When asked what makes a quality centre back, the former St Columba’s School pupil said that a player needs to be smart, both on and off the ball.
“You need to be hard, strong and a good communicator,” he said.
Gordinho thanked everybody who has helped and supported him from the beginning of his career, including family, friends, coaches and teachers.
