Gordinho is growing with game time
In April, last year, former Benoni High School pupil Lorenzo Gordinho told the City Times of his desire to cement his spot in the heart of coach Steve Komphela’s Kaizer Chiefs defence.
Fast-forward to January 2016, and the 21-year-old has risen from the club’s development structure and has now established himself in the Chiefs’ backline.
Football writers around the country have been full of praise for Gordinho in recent times and have applauded him for his calmness on the ball, distribution from the back and leadership abilities.
The City Times caught up with the ever-progressing defender ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Soweto Derby, between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, at FNB Stadium.
“It feels good to be playing regularly and to be performing,” Gordinho said of his recent appearances.
“It has been my main objective since I have been at the club and I am glad to have reached this point.”
Gordinho added that by playing more matches he has gained more experience with regards to handling different in-game situations, which will help him become an ever better player.
“The coach and the technical teaching have given me the opportunity to play and that opportunity, combined with my own hard work, is what has benefited my performance.
With Chiefs in fourth position on the Absa Premier Soccer League (PSL) log, eight points behind Mamelodi Sundowns at the top, Gordinho believes that consistency and hard work in their displays will keep the defending champions in contention for the title.
The Benonian is looking forward to this weekend’s derby and realises the importance of the fixture.
“The derby is extremely important, because we need to win to gain three points,” he said.
“A win will be a confidence booster for the team for the games to come and I am expecting a tough and an exciting encounter, because both teams are coming into the game after a loss, so we both have points to prove and pride is at stake.”
There has also been a lot of talk in the local football fraternity about Gordinho’s potential inclusion in Owen Da Gama’s u-23 South African side that will be heading to the Rio Olympics.
With regard to his possible selection, he said that he needs to be consistent and keep working hard if he is to book a ticket on the plane to Rio.
- The Soweto Derby kicks off at 3.30pm on Saturday.
