Posted in News on Jan 26, 2010.
The player’s name was Abraham Jacobs, who together with his teammate in the Chiefs U-20 Tshegofaso Ramabu, have been invited by head coach, Vladimir Vermezovic to train with the first team.
“I was over the moon when my coach at the Development (Fani Madida) told me that I was going to train with the first team but I never expected to get a run last Saturday. I was nervous when the coach told me to warm up but then I said to myself, 'this is the opportunity that you have been waiting for',” said the visibly delighted Jacobs, who was a spectator as his former teammates in the Chiefs Under-17 team gave SAFA Tshwane Select side a 5-2 drubbing in the opening game of Gauteng Future Champions at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Monday.
Abraham Jacobs joined Kaizer Chiefs Under-17 team after being recommended by head of development, Walter Steenbok.
“It was tough at first and I was homesick. It took time for me to adapt to life in Johannesburg but when I adapted later I started enjoying my football again. My favourite player of all time at Chiefs has always been Doctor Khumalo and I was very excited to hear he was going to be my coach. I learnt a lot from, not only him, but from other coaches at the Development and I was promoted to the Under-20 team before the end of the year. I have enjoyed every minute since I arrived here,” he told kaizerchiefs.com.
Abraham Jacobs impressed in the few minutes he was given in the first team with his deft touches. He did not rush things and played simply alongside more experienced Tinashe Nengomasha.
“It was good to get out there and play in the first team in front of such a big crowd. I was also delighted that at the end of the day we won the cup. My mother, who was in tears, called me after the game to congratulate me. She knows how much this meant to me and the family. I am now going to work even harder to one-day realise my dream of signing for the first team and go on to play overseas,” added the youngster from Kimberly.
