Cape Town City veteran midfielder Keagan Dolly says he is proud of how teenage sensation Emile Witbooi has matured at a tender age, and revealed he told him to stay humble and focussed.
The youngster has impressed since making his first team debut last season in the premier division and also became a key feature for the national U17 side that also made history at the recent U17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs man knows all about breaking out early and the pressures that come with it. He spoke to iDiski Times Editor Rob Delport in edition 234 where he shared his pride and the advice he gave Witbooi.
“I was still being a kid, enjoying going to the mall and being a 16/17-year- old, being with my friends, planning sleepovers, and just being a teenager,” Dolly told iDiski Times.
“But no, I’m super proud of the way Emile carries himself, the way he deals with all the pressure, and just the way he trains and plays.
“You can see he’s very mature. You can see he’s been playing at a high level for a few years now. And you can see that he comes from a good home.
“I’m sure his mom and dad really, really showed him the way. And you could see the career his dad had in Europe. And I’m just super happy for him for what he has been doing so far in his career.
“And I think if he stays like this, if he stays grounded and keeps working hard, he’ll still go very far. Also, he’s from the School of Excellence, so we relate to a lot. So, ja, I speak to him often and just tell him he should keep going.
“He shouldn’t let all these talks and compliments get to his head, because he still has a long way to go. And not a lot of people get this opportunity of playing professionally from 16 until you’re potentially 35/36, so he still has to prove himself each and every day. And that’s the pressure.”
You can read Dolly’s full interview with Delport in edition 234 when you subscribe to IDiski Times media WhatsApp number for FREE.
