Arendse now oldest pro footballer in SA’S history
ANDRE Arendse became the oldest player in professional football history in this country when he played for BidVest Wits against Pretoria University, beating by months a more than 30-year-old record.
Arendse ’ s new mark is 45 years, 10 months and four days, beating by three months the record set by equally legendary goalkeeper Trevor Gething in 1982.
Arendse also beat the Premier Soccer League record set by another goalkeeper, Bruce Grobbelaar, in 2002.
The former Bafana Bafana stalwart was pressed into action to help Wits out of a goalkeeping crisis and saw his club to a 2-1 away win that pushed them up to fifth place in the PSL standings on Wednesday night.
“It is the most nerve-wracking thing I have experienced in a long while, but at the same time it was awesome, ” Arendse said in a postmatch TV interview.
“I always saw my inclusion as something for the team, it was not a personal thing for me.
“We have well-documented problems in the goalkeeping department and the coach has asked me to step up and do it for the team. It was always going to be a yes from my side and it was phenomenal to be back. The cherry on top was getting the three points.”
Emile Baron broke his leg last Saturday in the match against Orlando Pirates, precipitating the crisis after taking over as the first choice from Jackson Mabokgwane, who broke his leg in training last month.
Wits ’ other two casualties are Ryan Harrison, who had recent surgery on a broken finger, and Steven Hoffman on an ankle injury.
The 17-year-old Jethren Barr came on after Baron broken his leg against Pirates, making his debut in stoppage time last weekend but failed to hold a shot from Sifiso Myeni that allowed the Buccaneers to win with virtually the last kick of the game.
Wits coach Clive Barker did not want to expose Barr to any more pressure, and that is why Arendse was asked to play and set a new landmark.
The previous record of 45 years, seven months and 22 days was held by Gething who came out of retirement several times to help clubs in crisis. He played for Pretoria Callies in 1979, aged 42, when they had a crisis and for Arcadia in 1981 and again in 1982, when he filled in for the injured Deshi Bhaktawer for 10 matches.
Grobbelaar was the oldest player in PSL history, stretching back to 1997 but it was a contrived mark.