Birthday Sasman will never forget
23-YEAR-OLD HAD BEEN ON KAIZER CHIEFS’ RADAR AND THEY SOON MADE THEIR MOVE
Yagan Sasman received what will probably be the best birthday gift ever on the eve of turning 23 in July when his agent told him Kaizer Chiefs were interested in him and wanted to have a closer look.
It was on July 9 when he got the call that was the beginning of the biggest move of his career up to now.
At the time, Sasman was a frustrated young man who had just been released by the club he had joined when he was 12. Sasman had spent some 10 years working his way up the divisions at Ajax Cape Town when the Cape Town-based GladAfrica Championship side decided it was time for him to look elsewhere to practice his craft.
“It was a difficult time not having a club,” Sasman said of the time he sat at home hoping his agent could find him another job. “But luckily I got to show my talent in the Chiefs set-up and they were impressed and welcomed me with open arms,” he added.
Just as he was thinking about what or how he would spend his birthday, the call he had been waiting for happened.
“It was the day before my birthday when I got the call from my agent telling me I needed to be in Joburg the very next morning – which was the day of my birthday. I then booked a flight to Joburg and I started the pre-season camp with Chiefs.
“In the 10 days I had there, I knew I had to impress because basically the coaches didn’t know much about me. I had to prove myself and secure my spot in the team,” he explained.
Sasman has quickly become one of the trusted soldiers in Middendorp’s team as he is making the left back position his own. “It’s been a wonderful experience. I have been given an opportunity by coach Ernst and he said he likes the way I play,” he said.
“Coming to Chiefs, you know they are the biggest team in the country and it is always a difficult experience, especially coming from Cape Town, struggling with altitude and other things. You need to really get used to everything quite quickly and luckily I have adapted to playing here ... and I am enjoying my football,” said the 23-year-old.
Sasman is a grounded young man, who is confident of making the best of his chance with Amakhosi. What helps him is that he comes from a solid family background – it is the first time he has been away from his family.
“I come from a family of four. I have always lived with them until I left for Joburg where I am now living on my own.
“But their support is amazing. They are always catching up with me, and phoning me on a daily basis,” he said.
He, like all youngsters, is hoping to eventually play for Bafana Bafana. “I am looking forward to a national team callup but I am still working hard and hoping I can impress the coaches,” he said.