Ayanda Patosi repaying Igesund’s faith

Patosi expertly curled in the game’s opener, 13 minutes into the friendly encounter at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, but had to watch on as the Socceroos pulled level shortly afterwards.

“It was my first start and I was grateful to get a chance from the coach and I took my chance with both hands,” Patosi said of his first start for the national team.

“He (Igesund) told me not to be scared, he just gave me freedom to play and I’m grateful that I scored the goal.”

The Khayelitsha-born winger was handed his debut in October 2013 and only had two previous caps, both coming off from the bench, before Monday’s outing.

Patosi, who started his career in Cape Town, moved to Belgium in 2012 and is contracted to top division side Lokeren.

The 21-year-old, however, has struggled to settle since his move abroad, resulting in a drop in form which Patosi said had weighed heavily on his mind while playing for the national team.

“It means a lot to me because I’ve not been playing for my team in Belgium,” Patosi said.

“I had some problems with the team and I’m grateful that the coach Igesund called me and gave me the chance because the coach believed in me.”

Much was made of the so-called “make-shift” side Igesund took to Australasia, following mass withdrawals from his original team named in March. Patosi said he was pleased to have contributed to the 1-1 scoreline, particularly because South Africa had been widely written off by the Australian media.

“It was a heavy week and it was a heavy trip, but the team tried to play as a team and we played together,” he said.

“We told ourselves that we wanted to get a result and I’m happy that we got 1-1 at the end.

“It’s a great feeling because Australia are going to the World Cup. We came here to give them a good game and maybe they thought they were just going to pass through us 3-0, 4-0 or something.

“I’m happy the team got a point away from home, that’s the most important thing.”

-Sapa