ELEVEN days after Jody February s 19th birthday in May, death knocked on the door of the February household and took the most important man in the youngster s life.

It has been a difficult year for the Februarys following the death of his father.

But the Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper gave his mom and sister a reason to smile again with the performance of his life for the nation s under-23 team in Senegal last weekend.

Four penalty saves by February in the third-place off against Senegal at the CAF under-23 Championship, including one in regulation time, helped the team book a spot at next year s Olympics in Rio.

February s favourite subject at school was history, and he will be part of it for inspiring South Africa to the Olympics qualification.

The goalie said he thought of his father when facing the Senegalese penalty takers.

It has been a difficult year for my family. My birthday was on May 12 and he passed away on the 23rd. It hit me hard,” he said.

I was overseas [in Holland] at the time with the Ajax reserve team. I had to fly back with a heavy heart knowing I was not there when my father passed on.”

About his role for the under-23 team, February said: I m happy that my success [in Senegal] made my family smile again. I told my mother after that game that I felt him [his dad] there with me. He was the one who was shouting at the top of his voice for me when he came to watch my matches. So I dedicated my performance to him.

People say I m a specialist, but sometimes, it s about what happens on the day. I am happy that we qualified.”

February, who lives with his mother and sister in Strandfontein, Cape Town, started four of South Africa s five matches in Senegal. He was delighted to get some game time because he gets little first-team action at Ajax.

He conceded four goals in the tournament, but his performance shone and he ll hope to repeat it next year at the Olympics.

It was a good experience for me as a teenager. I cherished the game time most... Going to the Olympics will be good exposure because I want to play overseas.”

February, who describes himself as jolly and energetic, joined the Urban Warriors as a 10-year-old and has come through the ranks (under11, 13, 15, 17 and the reserve team) at the club.

Now back at Ikamva, the home of Ajax, February will continue to battle it out for a spot in the starting line-up with Finnish goalkeeper Annsi Jaakkola and Brandon Petersen, who recently returned from a long-term injury.

Competition in the goalkeeping department is healthy,” he said.