My Dream Team
Former SuperSport United and Bafana Bafana defender Ricardo Katza selects his best-ever XI from past teammates.
Ricardo Katza was known for his longevity at SuperSport United, where he captained the team to three successive league titles under Gavin Hunt between 2008-2010. He retired in 2012, having also managed 19 Bafana Bafana caps. The 43-year-old has now picked a star-studded Dream XI that he believes would beat any team.
1 Goalkeeper Calvin Marlin
‘Mr. Consistency’ would be my first-choice goalkeeper. We joined SuperSport United at the same time in 2003 and played together for three years, and many times he stood between us getting a result and not getting a result.
2 Right-back Siboniso Gaxa
‘Pa’ was probably my best defensive partner in my career, because we had such a good understanding between us, and he was very reliable on the field. I can’t actually remember any off-the-field issues because he was so disciplined, even as a youngster at the time.
3 Left-back Tsietsi Mahoa
‘ Tsivo’ was always quiet but probably one of the most aggressive defenders I played with. He also had a very good, educated left foot, and always went about business without any fuss.
4 Centre-back Morgan Gould
Mr Gould – strong, resilient and very good, both defensively and offensively. He’s a very hard tackler but very effective and a good leader, and him and I probably shared the best centre-back pairing of my career.
5 Centre-back Nasief Morris
I played with Nasief at SuperSport and at Bafana Bafana. Defensively he was very good and even when he made mistakes, he would somehow manage to reposition himself and still win back possession, and that’s just the level he was on.
6 Central midfield Shane Poggenpoel
‘Mr Tollgate’, aka ‘Pay before you pass by’ – my best friend in football both on and off the field, and we’re still friends today. If you mess around, Shane will let you know – he doesn’t care who you are, but he would reprimand you. He was a very hard worker and very reliable.
7 Right wing Steven Pienaar
Just the name sends shivers down my spine. So much class and ability on the ball, even though he was a bit smaller in stature. He was an honest and hard worker, and always looking to encourage his teammates. Never carried himself like a big player but leads by example.
8 Playmaker David Modise
Probably the best midfielder I have ever played with in this position. At Ajax Cape Town in 2000, when we played our first game together, I played a one-two with him to score my first professional goal. He was a very good footballer, he looks like he’s lazy
but the minute he has the ball, he makes things happen.
9 Forward Benni McCarthy
One of my role models, both as a player and now as a coach – going from the Cape Flats to the biggest clubs in Europe and back to South Africa to give back to our football. Very humble and his quality as a striker is unquestionable – he could score a goal from anywhere on the pitch.
10 Playmaker Teko Modise
One of the players that I would pick any day, even when he’s off form. He would be the first name on my team sheet. I played with him for one year at SuperSport, but I always followed him, and I was in love with his football because he’s one player that, when he gets the ball, he just makes it look easy.
11 Left wing Daine Klate
One of the reasons I scored 28 goals in my career as a defender. Passionate, dedicated and most of all he had an educated left foot. In the dressing room he’s a huge joker, always pranking people and bringing some fun when the mood is low.