Fast forward to 2017 and the now 22-year-old Kaizer Chiefs defensive star is mere inches from achieving his great dream.
This comes after he was selected by stand-in coach Owen da Gama in his first ever Bafana Bafana camp, ahead of the international friendlies with Guinea-Bissau on Saturday, March 25 and Angola on Tuesday, March 26.
Although he didn’t feature in South Africa’s 3-1 win over Guinea-Bissau on Saturday he was an unused substitution in last night’s 0-0 draw against Angola in East London.
The former Benoni High School learner said that he was happy to have been selected to be part of the squad.
“It means a lot to me and it is somewhat of a reward for my performances at Chiefs,” Gordinho said.
“I am expecting to learn the culture and the ethics of the team as well as to show my worth to the technical team.
“I am hoping to give good performances in training and in the games by working hard and by being consistent in order to remain within the squad.”
When asked what he attributes his success to, Gordinho (who like most young Benonian football players once played at junior level for Benoni Northerns and Old Bens) said: “I think it’s the consistency I have displayed in my performances at Kaizer Chiefs and the overall performance of the club which has helped me to grow as a player and has allowed me to play at my best.”
Gordinho strives to become a regular feature in the national side.
“My goal is to learn and grow as fast as possible as an international player.”
Other Bafana Bafana (past and present) players who have called Benoni home include Rowen Fernandez, Bradley Grobler, Jabu Mahlangu and Pollen Ndlanya.
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