Paarlite in Bafana colours
2007-03-15
Luvuyo Zantsi
FORMER Mbekweni resident Thembinkosi “Terror” Fanteni celebrated his selection for the Bafana Bafana team by scoring the only goal for the South Africans in the match against Swaziland on Tuesday which ended in a 1-1 draw.
This is after the new Brazilian Bafana coach Parreira announced a 20 strong squad that included Fanteni to face the Swazis.
He was selected alongside three of his Ajax Cape Town teammates, Bryce Moon, Mfundo Shumana and Clifford Ngobeni.
The Ajax Cape Town player’s inclusion in Bafana Bafana has been called for in the Cape for a long time now.
Soccer commentators believed that he has always been ready for the national team as his strike record outshines that of many strikers in Bafana Bafana.
Terror himself could not hide his previous disappointment at not being picked.
“It has been painful to watch players that are not performing as I am, being drafted into the national team whilst I wait for my call-up,” says Fanteni.
The 23-year-old Paarlite believes that playing in the Western Cape was the reason for him not being selected previously.
He mentions an incident of being called by one of the Gauteng teams who, when recruiting him, promised that he would be selected for Bafana Bafana if he left the Western Cape and joined them.
His frustration made him nearly consider leaving this province to secure a national call-up.
The arrival of Parreira has renewed hopes of the likes of Fanteni.
“This coach is new in the country and is only influenced by player performances. We all stand a chance because he will select good players regardless of clubs and provinces.”
Fanteni’s message to aspiring soccer players from Paarl is permeated with this positive attitude.
He believes that unlike ten years back there are more opportunities now for everyone.
He urges soccer players in Paarl not to give up and to grab opportunities coming their way.
“I can recall years back there were good players in Mbekweni, but there were not many opportunities for us. A player called Bhanyero comes to mind with his superb football skills,” reminisces Fanteni.
He points out that there is another player of Paarl in the Ajax Cape Town ranks. He refers to Andile Mpenyane as a “promising striker from Mbekweni” who plays for the Ajax reserve.
Terro Fanteni was born in Mbekweni in the hostels that are close to the train station.
His father retired when he was 13 years old and went to stay in the Eastern Cape.
“Because my parents were not married, I had to move with my mom to Cross Roads.”
More
News
|
