Westerveld rates the PSL
I’m not here to enjoy life, I’m here to win things, says Ajax goalkeeper
SANDER WESTERVELD has been mightily impressed by the tenacity and spirit of footballers in the PSL.
Ajax Cape Town’s muchtravelled 37-year-old Dutch goalkeeper has had a few months to settle into the local game and is now able to offer some insight into what he has seen so far.
The second half of the PSL season kicks off tomorrow, with Ajax taking on Platinum Stars at the Cape Town Stadium (7.30pm), while neighbours Santos are in Dobsonville to face Moroka Swallows (also 7.30pm).
Westerveld has a great deal of European knowledge and experience to call upon, having played in Holland (for FC Twente, Vitesse and Sparta Rotterdam), in England (for Liverpool, Portsmouth and Everton), in Spain (Real Sociedad, Mallorca and Almería) and in Italy (for Monza).
He is now in Cape Town, and says he is really enjoying his football.
“Before I signed for Ajax, I spoke to Foppe de Haan (former coach of the Cape club),” said Westerveld. “He told me I would be surprised by the quality of the PSL. And, having been here for a while, the most evident, for me, has been the competitive nature and fighting spirit, not only of the top sides but also the teams lower down the log.
“The are obviously differences in quality when comparing the PSL with other European leagues. I think, in Europe, things are a lot more tactical and technical.
“Over here, it’s almost like in England, the way the teams battle and simply refuse to give up. It is the one quality that has caught my eye.”
The PSL is certainly starting to attract interest from overseas.
Westerveld’s arrival has coincided with the return of Benni Mccarthy (Orlando Pirates) and Nasief Morris (Santos) from successful European sojourns, and during the January transfer window, Pirates also brought in former Portuguese international Luis Boa Morte, who has played for Arsenal, Southampton, Fulham and West Ham United.
In addition, there has been much debate around increased salary packages in the PSL, which appears to have made South Africa a rather tempting destination for overseas footballers looking for a final hurrah before retiring.
The jury is still out on whether the situation is good or bad for the development and progress of the SA game.
But, the way things are unfolding, it can be expected that the PSL will see more players like Mccarthy, Boa Morte and Westerveld in the future.
“Other players will start to look at coming to play here,” said Westerveld. “And it could make the PSL even better. This is a good league and I can assure you, from my point of view, I didn’t come here for a holiday or to enjoy my life.
“I came here to win trophies. And the idea is also that footballers with European L F A Pts 2 30 12 31 3 25 13 28 3 16 10 28 3 22 18 26 5 16 11 24 5 17 13 24 5 20 21 24 4 21 17 23 5 15 12 22 5 13 10 20 4 16 21 19 9 16 25 14 8 14 18 13 9 15 26 12 9 14 31 10 8 12 24 9 experience can transfer their knowledge and professionalism on to the young, emerging South African players.”
Ajax are currently seven points off log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
But Westerveld believes the league title is still up for grabs.
“We are still in with a chance,” he said. “Sundowns are a good side, but, as I said, anybody can beat anybody in this league.
“As for my own performances so far, I’m still not all that happy. I’m probably only about 70 or 80 percent of what I’m capable of. But the adaptation period is over now, and it should start to get more consistent.”
According to Westerveld, the one plus for Ajax has been the addition of Matthew Booth in central defence.
“Before Matthew came, we were struggling at the back, but his calm presence has settled things and we look a lot more solid now.
“If he had started the season with the team, I’m sure we would have been higher up the log. Nevertheless, the season is about to get under way again. The break has been good, but it’s time to get back into action. We have prepared well and are ready.”
Meanwhile, over at Santos, new signings Morris, Matthew Pattison and Gert Schalkwyk head into their first competitive match for their new team.
Swallows will certainly provide a tough opening in Dobsonville tomorrow, but a confident performance from the trio, together with a positive result, will set Santos up for a much-improved second half of the season.
Caretaker-coach Duncan Crowie has the quality in the squad he has always asked for, now it’s time for Santos to deliver on the promises.