Naidu was Super and the name has stuck
REGARDING NAMES, WC Fields says, “it ain’t what they call you; it’s what you answer to”.
That is the story of local football star Super “Kessie” Naidu.
“A teacher asked for my name, like he did with all other students and when I told him my name, he said it did not suit me and gave me the name ‘Super’. The name stuck and nobody knows me by any other name except close family,” Naidu said.
The Asherville resident carved out a tremendous career in football, starting at school.
“I went to St Aidan’s Boys school and transferred to Springfield Model in Standard 6 (Grade 8) at the insistence of Mr Maniraj Singh (who played for Avalon Athletics).
“Then I was taken to Chatsworth Secondary by Mr Vasa, who was a fantastic principal at a great school.”
Naidu played football for all his schools, including inter-district, Durban, Southern Natal and South African Schools. He played amateur football for Puntans Hill.
He described his career as “amazing”. Naidu donned the kit of Manning Rangers, African Wanderers, Berea and Maritzburg United to name a few.
“I scored many special goals but my favourite was a bicycle kick against Cape Town Spurs in Cape Town, where I also had my nose broken by Seraj Abbas, the Spurs centre back.”
This Manning Rangers fan also mentioned that at first, he played for the love of football but was then paid R5 for a win and R3 for a draw.
Naidu reflected on his African Wanderers days, where he also got his first taste of coaching.
“At African Wanderers, I played in a truly great team with world class players and an amazing coach in Jimmy Kerr.
“I won the player of the year award every year in the three years I played for them and I also had my first stint as a coach with them when Jimmy Kerr was hospitalised and suggested that I coach the team in his absence. They treated me like royalty at Wanderers.”
Naidu described the support from his family and friends as tremendous. He said the fans would flock to the ground every week.
“Supporters were very passionate and truly amazing in those days. They used to come to the grounds in their numbers. Entire families came to the grounds.”
Asked about what stood out for him in his successful career, Naidu said: “I had many great moments which I will never forget, but winning the Mainstay Cup was special as I also had my first taste of alcohol and got terribly drunk because I promised my teammates that I would drink if we won that trophy which had eluded us for many years.”
He was realistic about opportunities for Indian footballers in the local football scene.
“Indians especially are not being given a chance these days.
“I have had personal experiences as a coach where amazingly talented youngsters are turned away because they don’t qualify as the preferred group. We have many Indian, coloured and white footballers who would hold their own in the PSL.”
For youngsters wanting to pursue career in football, he advised: “I would say follow your passion, train hard and be prepared to listen to good advice.”
But he cautioned “with the attitude of our professional clubs I currently don’t see much of a future”, before adding: “Attitudes must change and youngsters must be encouraged no matter what race group.”