Last throw of the dice for Bucs
‘I came to Pirates hoping to win’
For footballers who grew up in Cape Town, coming to Gauteng is like moving to a whole new country.
They often struggle to adapt, both on and off the pitch.
When Abbubaker Mobara, 23, made his dream move from Ajax Cape Town to Orlando Pirates last year, it took four months for him to settle.
In Cape Town he had his parents to keep him grounded and focused on his football, but Johannesburg tempts footballers to live wild and free. It’s the good life, so it needs someone who is level-headed to stay away from off-the-field activities that can ruin a career.
“My first four months here were difficult. I was trying to adapt to a new environment, a new city and new players. Everything just seemed so fast and different. When you come alone, it’s a bit difficult to adapt. [But] with patience and hard work you will adapt faster,” said Mobara.
Mobara was brought to Pirates by coach Muhsin Ertugral, who played him in central midfield alongside Oupa Manyisa. Ertugral left in November while Mobara was struggling with injury, but the player returned to play under caretaker coach Augusto Palacios and then Kjell Jonevret, who kept the player in central midfield.
“I never [enjoy playing in central midfield]. It started when I was 18, playing at FC Porto [amateur club]. It was weird because I had never played there before. A few years later when I break into the PSL at Ajax, coach Muhsin does the same thing.
“I’d like to play right-back for the national team and for Pirates. I hate the word utility. Sometimes it can be a disadvantage if I don’t have my full ability to play in a certain position. Sometimes I could be the reason we concede a goal because I am not 100% comfortable in the position you put me in.”
Mobara’s impressive performances in central midfield have been overshadowed by Pirates’ poor season.
“I came to Pirates hoping to win the same way Keagan [Dolly] did. He went to Sun- downs, he won the league and CAF [Champions League]. He then went to Europe ... and that’s what every footballer wants.”
Mobara has an opportunity to lift his first trophy with Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final against SuperSport United tomorrow (8.15pm).