Pieterse wants to be better
REYAAD Pieterse believes his move to SuperSport United will help take his game to another level. Some may consider leaving a big team like Kaizer Chiefs a step backwards for Pieterse. Not only did he start 18 games for Amakhosi in the past season but he also had two top goalkeepers in Itumeleng Khune and Brilliant Khuzwayo pushing him to perform at his best. But Pieterse feels SuperSport offer him the same opportunity in terms of competition and is looking forward to fighting for the number one jersey with the likes of Ronwen Williams and Boalefa Pule. “There is a lot of competition there and that’s what you want for you to improve, because you are not going to be complacent,” Pieterse said this week. “You know, it is always important to get game time because you don’t get better by sitting on the bench. So for me it is important to get a lot of game time and improve my game as an individual.” The 24-year-old did, however, admit that leaving Chiefs after three years was not easy considering he felt settled at the club. “It is never easy to leave a place where you are settled in nicely. Leaving Chiefs was a tough decision but this is football and life goes on,” said Pieterse, who was signed from Irish side Shamrock Rovers in the 2011-2012 season.
“But I’m excited about joining SuperSport to work with the lads and coach Stuart Baxter,” he said.
Pieterse is also equally excited about his first Bafana call-up. He is part of the squad to play in the Cosafa Cup in Namibia this weekend.
“It’s been phenomenal,” said Pieterse of the national camp. “I’m enjoying it so far working with the younger ones. This is the future of this country and I’m enjoying the experience in terms of the coaching methods as well. I’m learning a lot.
“I see a bright future for us and if we can be tactically disciplined moving forward, I think we can achieve a lot.
“These are talented young boys,” said the goalkeeper who could well win his first senior cap, with Jody February and Nkosingiphile Gumede the other keepers in the Cosafa squad.
“It s important to get game time because you don t improve by sitting on bench