‘I’m not quitting yet’

Bluebirds striker Natasha Goge’s love for the beautiful game has overridden her parents’ wish that she quits playing soccer following a serious injury in May.

“Soccer is my life, my love, my everything,” she said. “I shudder to think what I would have done with my life if I had succumbed to my parents’ wish. As much as I know that there more to life than football but for the moment it takes precedence,” said the former Liberty Community College matriculant.

The Birds outfit signed Goge while she was still at school playing soccer for her school team. “We used to be a good school side that beat many other schools in competitions and won numerous accolades,” she said.

It was this soccer brilliance that attracted Birds coach Malvin Khumalo to sign her and bring her into the Birds’ nest, where she fitted like a hand in a glove.

Goge suffered a severe concussion during a Sasol Women’s League match at the Alexandra Stadium on 20 May, which ended in a 5–0 walloping of Banyana baMalvin by TUT Ladies. She was suspected to have been elbowed by an opposition player and for a few moments she caused panic among her teammates as she gasped for air while being attended to by medical staff from both teams.

“I am 100 per cent now, and it feels good to be back with my teammates, whom I missed so much during the injury layoff though they kept coming to see how I am doing and sent me get well messages on a regular basis,” she said.

Her mom and dad had urged the star player to call it quits after her injury. “I am sorry to have defied them but I am sure they understand. There is nothing that is not dangerous in this world and life. You can be walking innocently on a pavement and get knocked down by a car and die,” she said.

“Maybe I should die a martyr in the game than be killed by a drunken driver,” said the Birds player who has set her eyes on playing for her country. “I am working hard to ensure I earn a call-up to Banyana Banyana and possibly even go abroad to finish my footballing career.”

Goge got her love for football from her dad, Nick, whose football nickname was Foreman. “My parents should be happy that I love soccer and am not into mischief. There’re a lot of distractions for young people nowadays.”

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