Having played for various clubs in the ABC Motsepe League, Nazeer Smith’s wealth of playing experience should come in handy when his Westridge FC side battles it out in the SAFA Cape Town LFA Promotional play-offs, starting this weekend.
The Mitchells Plain LFA champions are in Group C alongside Lingelethu-based Young Rebels, who sold their Regional Third Division status just last season, together with high-flying Future Masters of Makhaza LFA and the stubborn FC Mimosa of Dunoon.
Zierie, as Smith is known in the football fraternity, has been one of the masterminds behind the success of Westridge, and will be a key figure in pulling the strings when they go toe-to-toe with the best in Cape Town local football.
He believes that his team have all it takes to go through the next round and even win promotion, citing the importance of taking it game by game. “I’m confident we stand a good chance of getting out of the group. It won’t be easy but the main thing is to get the first three points and take it from there”.
The 30-year-old midfielder, who can play in the central holding role as well as a number 10, played for the likes of Baltic Rangers, Ikapa Sporting and Crystal Palace in the ABC Motsepe before work became too demanding to continue with his sporting career at that level.
(Images: Brian Williams)
He joined Westridge this season and helped the team to win the league. “It’s only my first season with them. It’s been a good season thus far with the crop of players we have. They have welcomed me with open arms as I also know many of them and played alongside some players over the years”.
Zierie said his team has a good technical team and are a united bunch. “What makes us different, with no disrespect to any other teams in our league, is the unity which is very strong, and everyone knows no one is bigger than the team in our setup.”
He believes that although there are always social ills in Mitchell’s Plain, it is probably the area that has produced the most talent. “There is plenty of talent in Mitchell’s Plain football and many professional footballers originate from here, if not the best ones. So to the youngsters, whatever you put in is what you will get out”.
Zierie started playing football at the age of nine for Aston Villa in Mitchell’s Plain. He then moved on to Avendale Athletico in Athlone as he attended primary school in the area. His family also lives there. He moved to Ikapa Sporting when they were formed for two years before linking up with Santos Academy u19.
Time will tell if his experience helps Westridge, and Cape At Six Sport will keep you in the loop.
Meanwhile, the SAFA LFA Promotional play-offs will kick-off tomorrow until 30 October 2021. Thirty-one teams separated in eight groups will fight it off for the two available spots in the Regional Third Division League. The matches will take place at three venues, Royal Road Sports Complex in Maitland, Lingelethu Sports Complex in Site C and at Nyanga Stadium. Matches start at 10h00 until 16h00.
