Game time good for them – Arendse
There seems to be an oversupply of goalkeepers in the PSL at the moment, with a number of stoppers having crossed floors recently in pursuit of game time.
In this transfer window alone, Brilliant Khuzwayo (Orlando Pirates), Virgil Vries (Kaizer Chiefs), Brighton Mhlongo (Bidvest Wits) and Reyaad Pieterse (Mamelodi Sundowns) have moved in pursuit of greener pastures, while Thela Ngobeni made a return to parent club Sundowns.
The struggle for more playing time could continue at their new homes, though, as the competition for the No 1 jersey is at its most intense.
At Chiefs, Itumeleng Khune is the preferred No 1, but Vries has shown that he is ready for a starting berth.
Former CAF Goalkeeper of the Year Denis Onyango is still the go-to man for Sundowns, but young studs Pieterse and Ngobeni could feel that the time is now to get their chance, especially with the club’s copious number of games locally and in the Champions League.
Ngobeni went from winning the Nedbank Cup with Free State Stars in May to being the third choice at the Brazilians.
The Buccaneers, on the other hand, have perhaps the strongest goalkeeping department in the PSL: Khuzwayo, Jackson Mabokgwane, Wayne Sandilands and Siyabonga Mpontshane.
Legendary Bafana goalkeeper Andre Arendse says it will boost Bafana to have many stoppers to choose from.
“It’s always nice to have these keepers moving and finding game time, especially if they are local... We need a big contingent to choose from for the national team to close the gap,” he said.
“It’s not nice to have top talent sitting on the bench, but the position is a tricky one because we play one at a time. It’s good that our goalkeeping department is kind of flooded.”
Arendse added that stoppers need to have the perseverance to battle for a place in the starting XI. “For example, Virgil will push Khune in that department at Chiefs,” the SuperSport United goalkeeper coach said. “I challenge goalkeepers to say, ‘even if I am not playing, I will fight for this’. If they fight it won’t go unnoticed by the coaches.”
‘ ‘ The position is a tricky one because we play one at a time