By Joshua Hendricks
It is every sportsperson’s dream to turn professional, and that dream has been realized by Cape Town rising football star Mogamat Samodien May when he signed his professional contract with Cape Town City FC.
The Hanover Park-born May has put pen to paper on a deal for City’s DStv Premiership team, under the guidance of Eric Tinkler, from the Regional Third Division team Hanover Park FC. His signing makes him join an impressive growing list of Cape Town footballers who fought their way onto the books of the Citizens, confirming the club’s commitment to investing in and developing local football.
After signing with the Citizens, May expressed his delight and gratefulness.
“I’m ecstatic, over the moon. No words can describe how grateful I am for Metamorphosize Personal Training and the coaching staff at Hanover Park FC. Also Cape Town City FC for believing in me and giving me this life-changing opportunity. This, to me, is another shot at life. An opportunity to better myself both as a player and as an individual.”
Riedewaan Anthony, Chairman of Hanover Park FC, congratulated May and said his move means a lot to many youngsters on the Cape Flats.
“We congratulate Samodien on his departure to Cape Town City. Representing the hopes and dreams of so many kids on the Cape Flats. Hanover Park always produces players for the likes of Ajax Cape Town (now Cape Town Spurs) and other academies. The stats prove that a huge amount of players from the area eventually join top academies.
“We wish him well and hopefully this motivates others to do the same. This will inspire them that one of our own will play in the PSL (Premier Soccer League) again following the likes of Clinton Emmanuel, Simphiwe Phama, Amigo Memela(AmaZulu) and Alfred Ndengane(Maritzburg United). So Samodien will join this list.”
According to Anthony, May has been with Hanover Park from the early ages.
“He started in the mini’s group and continued until the age of 15. He was one of the reasons we won the Mr Price Tournament. Beating all the top academies and that drew their attention to him, prompting the move to Old Mutual and later Ajax. He then returned back to us at the age of 22.
A natural goal poacher, who is comfortable with both feet and his magnificent aerial ability, May’s rise to the professional ranks will not come as a surprise in the Mother City’s football fraternity.
“Mo” as he is known, has experience playing in the GladAfrica Championship with Steenberg United, however game time was limited.
Recently he has been in fine form by showcasing his goal scoring prowess which matches up with his accurate creativity.
He is currently the leading goal-scorer in the Safa Cape Town’s Regional Third Division League, having bagged 13 goals and nine assists in just 10 games for Hanover Park FC. Tonight he played his last game for the team and scored a goal as Park beat Goal 50 United 3-0 to strengthen its position at the summit of the league. That was after Mo had bagged a brace to secure all three points when Park defeated Bayview Football Club 2-1.
“It was a difficult weekend for the team because we played two games, one on Friday and the other on Sunday. Especially Sunday was a bit tough because of the heat but we pushed through and got the three points”, said May after the Bayview game.
“In the first half we dominated and got the goal. Then we took our foot off the paddle in the second half, allowing Bayview into the game. Luckily, I managed to get the second goal that secured the win but it was a team effort on a challenging weekend.”
It was hoped that the former Old Mutual and Ajax academy graduate would play a key role in Hanover Park’s quest for the title as his goals have made the Brasse van die Park serious contenders for the Third Division title. Now that he has reached his dreams, Park will have to do without him.
Nevertheless, his progression will be seen as a great motivation for footballers playing in the lower divisions. Anything is possible because there is always someone watching you.
