Moeneeb just does not give up
HE’S WON three PSL titles, and still veteran goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs’ commitment to to the team he is playing for remains unwavering.
So don’t count against him collecting more honours despite him being 37-years-old.
He’s a competitor like few others, with a savvy streak that can turn difficult match situations into victories.
Like last weekend when he used his gamesmanship to out-psych a group of Golden Arrows penalty-takers in a shootout in the first round of the MTN8 competition.
The upshot is that Wits are through to the last four of the knockout competition which kicked off the new season.
Josephs doesn’t give up, he doesn’t know when to quit. His self-belief is unshakeable and, even now, after 20 years at the top level, he is still making a contribution to the success of the team he represents. He doesn’t know any other way to go about things.
The Mitchells Plain player made his debut at 17 for Cape Town Spurs and has gone on to perform with distinction for Ajax Cape Town, Orlando Pirates and Wits.
He is a three-time PSL champion – with Pirates in 2010-11 and 2011-12 and last season with Wits. Josephs was a member of the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2010 World Cup, held in South Africa.
Josephs has a fantastic work ethic – and, today, he works as hard as he did when he was 17; the same passion and enthusiasm he displayed as a teenager, he shows in each and every game he is called upon, even now that he is in the twilight of his career.
He has had his ups and down, but, still, he’s never wavered in the belief in his ability. He’s picked himself up many times and splattered egg on the faces of those who tried to put him down.
In 2014, after an error in goal for Bafana, a sport minister unnecessarily felt the need to single Josephs out for criticism.
The keeper took it on the chin, rattled back, and continued to perform with aplomb for his club. Every footballer makes mistakes, but character is to be found in the ability to bounce back.
For young footballers making their way in the sport, and trying to break into professional football, Josephs’ commitment and passion are traits important to emulate.
Now, winding down his career, he’ll share the No 1 position with Darren Keet – but it doesn’t matter how many games he plays, or whether he watches the action from the bench, expect the 37-year-old Josephs to remain an integral part of the Wits squad this season.
But, back to that shootout against Arrows. It was again the goalkeeper’s passion that caught the eye. His ebullience, as always, was infectious; as a player, Josephs wears his heart on his sleeve and you don’t get less than a 120 percent effort from him. Don’t expect this to change.