Playmaker Norodien delivers skilful debut
RIYAAD NORODIEN is blissfully happy to be back playing football again. The highly-touted 20-year-old midfielder had been out of the game for almost 15 months due to a contractual dispute between his representatives and Ajax Cape Town. But, thankfully, everything has been sorted and this extremely talented young man can get back to doing what he does best – dazzle and bamboozle defenders on a football field.
Last weekend, Norodien made his debut for Ajax in a 2-1 defeat to Platinum Stars in Rustenburg. His performance did, however, catch the eye and it was his excellent work that created the opening for Erwin Isaacs to net the Capetonians’ goal.
Tomorrow night, Norodien is expected to again be an influential figure when Ajax host Wits in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup at Athlone Stadium (kick-off 8pm).
From Kensington, an area that has produced many a top footballer, like Ajax teammate Granwald Scott for example, Norodien has been at the Ajax academy since the age of nine.
Always highly thought of, and tipped for stardom from a young age, he progressed through the ranks to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) squad.
Just when on the cusp of his entry to topflight football, the dispute intervened – and Norodien was left high and dry on the sidelines.
But he’s back now. He doesn’t want to dwell too much on the past and is only focused on the future.
“Look, it wasn’t a very pleasant time,” said Norodien. “But that’s all behind me now. All I want to do is work hard and take things game by game.
“It was a great feeling to make my debut last week. I think it well… I did my best, I got into spaces and I gave it my all. It was my first game, I was happy, and I’ll build from that.”
Speak to anybody in the corridors of the Ajax head office and they will sing Norodien’s praises – that’s how highly they rate the 20-year-old.
The Cape club has invested a great deal of time and money in developing and nurturing the youngster. Now, with him back training and playing again, and happy to be at the Cape club, Ajax are expecting great things from him.
In his short time since returning to the squad, Norodien has already impressed head coach Roger de Sa, who has quickly fast-tracked the talented player into the starting side.
“I want to bring some magic to the team,” said Norodien. “I want to be creative, I want to work hard, and I want to contribute to the team.
“In my debut last week, I could see that the PSL is a level higher. As a player, you have to think quicker, you can’t just run and run all the time… the intensity is higher and, as such, you have to be a more wise footballer.”
As for Wits tomorrow, Norodien is expecting a really difficult encounter.
“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “We all know what Wits’ strengths are and how good they are.
“But we also have a good squad, with good players. We know our abilities, we know what we can do, and we just have to go out there and create the chances.”