Goalkeepers don’t get credit …
“I have a big dream to see myself playing at the highest level of football including Bafana Bafana."
SEDIBENG.- In most cases, goalkeepers don’t get the credit they deserve, this is despite them being the last line of defense.
This week Sedibeng Ster Sport looks at some of the promising goalkeepers in the Safa Sedibeng Hollywood Regional League. For some time now Sedibeng Ster Sport has been following the progress of these two young goalkeepers, Karabo Cala from Celta Vigo Development FC and Mlungisi “Fresh” Shongwe from Vaal Juventus respectively.
No doubt these two young goalkeepers will follow in the footsteps of former great goalkeepers this region has once produced in the past. These two goalkeepers are typical of model goalkeepers who play as sweeper goalkeepers and show composure even under pressure.
For example, goalkeepers are referred to as the last line of defense but you will hardly hear soccer fans talk about them or give them credit unless they commit an error that cost the team or save a penalty or penalties. In most cases, goalkeepers are at the receiving end especially when their teams lose a game.
For example, South African soccer fans had little faith in Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams before the African Cup of Nations but he became a hero of the nation after he saved penalties that saw Bafana Bafana qualify for the semi-finals after 24 years.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport before their training session at Qedilizwe ground on Wednesday, Shongwe said his dream is to play in the top flight football. He told Sedibeng Ster that this is what pushes him at training to work hard. This former School Excellence goalkeeper told Sedibeng Ster Sport that goalkeeping was always his first love.
“I have a big dream to see myself playing at the highest level of football including Bafana Bafana. I’m happy that there is someone who is watching me and this will serve me as motivation to work hard. I never thought someone was monitoring my performance,” said Shongwe.
His sentiments were echoed by his counterparts at Celta Vigo Cala, who also told Sedibeng Ster Sport that his dream is to play at the highest level of football.
“It is everyone’s dream to play at the highest level of football. This is where I want to see myself,” he concluded.
