City’s soccer heroes have eye on Rio 2016
Strandfontein teenagers set sights on gold at the Olympics
SINCE early in his football career, all Jody February wanted to do was score goals, but this weekend he saved four penalties and helped the South African under-23 team qualify for the Rio Olympics next year. His efforts have been hailed as “heroic” by some, but the 19-year-old from Strandfontein remains humble and in disbelief after beating Senegal, in a penalty shoot-out.
In addition, Banyana Banyana player Thalea Smidt, also from Strandfontein, might be jetting off to Rio after her team qualified in October. The final squad has not yet been selected.
Banyana Banyana will also be joining the under-23 team in their trip to the Rio Olympics after they qualified by beating Equatorial Guinea 1-0.
Jody’s mother, Gretchen February, said the family watched repeats of the game as they couldn’t believe how well her son had played.
Jody, who is a goalkeeper for Ajax, saved four penalties, one in normal time and three in the penalty shoot-out, allowing the South African team to win 3-1 on penalties.
The teen was still in Senegal yesterday but was in contact with his mother and family.
“I have no words to describe how proud I am that my son was a part of it. His dad recently passed away and I know that he would also be so proud of him.”
Gretchen February said her son started playing football at a young age and has been scooping up awards and doing well since. “For a mother to see him come this far and making it is mind-blowing, it is overwhelming and to know that he is a role model is a blessing.
“There are a lot of bad influences and to see him achieve so much at such a young age and to know that there are children looking up to him is mind-blowing. What I would want them to learn from him is that anything is possible. From nothing you can have everything, through hard work.”
Her brother-in-law, Denver Bailey, played HOPEFUL: Thalea Smidt during the Womens under-20 World Cup qualifying match between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria at Makhulong Stadium on November 8 . a big role in Jody’s football career and said he saw talent in him when he used to play football with his sons. “When he was younger he just wanted to score goals and when I saw him playing with my sons I told his late father that next time he goes to training he must be put in the poles. “After that he was seen by a scout.” Bailey added that the family was now making plans to try and go to the Olympics.
Thalea’s father, Hermanus Smidt, said his daughter was still waiting to find out if she will be in the Olympic squad.
“She puts in a lot and we picked up her talent at an early age. The idea is to support your kids and give them the best and enough space to reach the best that they can do.”
He said his 18-year-old was confident that she can make it into the squad.
“She always feels she has a chance. In any sport – or life – confidence is first base. If you are not confident you will make it, why go in the first place? “Being part of training in a senior team is big. Even if she doesn’t go now it will be good for her. She is still young. They wouldn’t call her up if they didn’t see her talent.”