Rodgers keen to bite hand that once fed him

Eleazar Rodgers is hoping Bidvest Wits can pinch the MTN8 trophy from under the noses of a distracted Mamelodi Sundowns, when the sides meet in Saturday’s final at Mbombela Stadium.

Sundowns were rightfully showered with praise on the weekend after reaching the 2016 Caf Champions League final, but Pitso Mosimane’s side must quickly refocus on this potential cracker between last season’s top two in the Absa Premiership.

“They (Sundowns) are in two fi- nals, so maybe their minds are on both cups, so we can creep in and take one. I know it is going to be a good game. I hope we can continue with our performances and get rewarded,” said Rodgers (right) yesterday.

The 31-year-old striker is one of a host of new signings brought in by Gavin Hunt this season as Wits continue the hunt for a first piece of silverware since he took over in 2013. And the early signs are good, with Wits unbeaten in the league, as well as beating Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City en route to the MTN8 final.

Rodgers scored in the MTN8 semifinal win over City, and his form has been enough to earn him a surprise place in the Bafana Bafana squad for next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso. The former Santos, Sundowns, Ajax Cape Town and Platinum Stars striker has two caps for Bafana, but the last was earned way back in 2008.

“A Bafana call-up is something all players dream of,” he said yesterday.

“I have a firm belief that all things happen in good time – sometimes it comes when you least expect it, but when you work hard, you receive the reward.”

Rodgers joined Sundowns in 2012, but never broke consistently into the first team, before moving to Platinum Stars two years later.

“I wouldn’t say things didn’t go as planned,” he says, however.

“Everything happened as it should and it is why I am where I am today. I can’t fault the club (Sundowns). They played a role in my life where I was able to provide for my family, so I don’t hold grudges.”

Rodgers has, meanwhile, had a good record against Sundowns for other clubs, including scoring on his debut for Santos in this competition back in 2006.