Keet looking forward to getting back to where he once was
CAPE Town City goalkeeper Darren Keet is looking to revive his career following the departure of Hugo Marques from the Citizens.
Angolan international Marques surprisingly left the club this week despite winning the PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award last term, beating off competition from the likes of Sekhukhune United shot-stopper Toaster Nsabata and Amazulu’s Veli Mothwa.
While the news of Marques’ departure will be a blow to City, it does present Keet, once regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in South Africa, to re-establish himself.
The 33-year-old delivered a solid performance in City’s 0-0 draw with Maritzburg United on Tuesday night. It was City’s first point of the season after they lost their opening three games to Mamelodi Sundowns, Swallows FC and Amazulu.
“This is our start today. The club has had a bit of drama, but we have to move on.
“We are professional players and have to do our best for the club. The games are coming thick and fast. I feel pretty good. My physio Andrew has helped to get me into good shape.
“It was a long recovery. I’m happy to be playing again and looking forward to getting back to where I once was,” said Keet.
Keet was not only once regarded as one of the best keepers in the Premiership, but was the 2017 PSL Goalkeeper of the Season after heroics for the now defunct Wits under Gavin Hunt. That campaign still represents the last time that a team other than Sundowns won the league title.
A revival of Keet could also be good news to the ears of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Ronwen Williams has been Bafana’s undisputed first-choice goalie in recent times and risen to the challenge.
However, of concern are gone are the days when the Bafana first-choice goalkeeper role was so competitive that even apt shot stoppers such as Rowen Fernandez, Brian Baloyi, Keet, Moeneeb Josephs and the late Senzo Meyiwa missed out.
Keet has underachieved as far as Bafana selection goes as he boasts less than 20 national caps, despite making his debut almost 10 years ago.
However, if he does revive his form, he could still be a good challenger to Williams if not a solid backup to the Bafana captain.
His return to action augurs well for the national team as many league clubs seem to have a preference for foreign goalkeepers as their first choice, which narrows Bafana selector’s pool to choose from.