Ahoy there, Pirates looking for goalkeeper treasure

Some young aspiring soccer players who came for goalkeeper trials at Randburg Sports Club may find themselves playing for Orlando Pirates one day.

The field was packed at the sports club when about 600 youngsters from 16 to 19 years of age showed their skills to Buccaneer coaches between 14 and 16 January.

“What we are looking for are not the advanced skills because that we can teach them later,” said Pirates’ head of development, Augusto Palacios. “What we want now are the basics – height, communication, how they deal with crosses and distribute the ball, and the potential they have.”

Nevertheless, the youngsters aimed to impress by giving their all during the rigorous drills required of them.

With cat-like reflexes, they dived to save shots at goal, parried crosses out of the box and displayed fast footwork, catching and throwing during other drills.

Palacios said afterwards that 32 of the youngsters were selected for a final assessment that would include other budding goalkeepers from across the country.

After the final assessment, the best of the best may be selected to Orlando Pirates teams from U17 to U19 level, as well as the reserve team.

One of the youngsters. Cebo Khumalo said he really wanted to play for Pirates.

Kamogelo Matale, meanwhile, explained that goalkeeping was tough as you had to be very quick but there was glory in performing well for your team.

Palacios added, “Many clubs have goalkeepers from outside South Africa but we want to build a local base of goalkeepers, to give more opportunities to local players.”

He said a goalkeeper had the most difficult job in soccer and finding a great goalkeeper was very difficult.

“I want to say we appreciate all the parents bringing their children out to the trials.”

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