Platinum Stars goalkeeper Steven Hoffman insists he is ready to compete against Mbongeni Mzimela for the number one position at the club.
The 22-year-old recently joined Dikwena from National First Division side, Vasco Da Gama.
The former Bidvest Wits shot-stopper told Platinumstars.com that he is eager to battle his way to being the first choice between the sticks in Cavin Johnson’s team.
‘It’s very exciting. Other than me, we have three good goalkeepers. They are going to challenge me. We are going to challenge one another for the number one position,’ Hoffman said.
The South African U23 revealed that he joined Dikwena to challenge himself, to continue maturing as a player and hopefully receiving a national team call-up.
‘It’s tough moving out of my comfort zone in Cape Town to move to a different province and city. The guys here at Stars have been very welcoming. I am at Stars and it’s obviously one of the biggest steps I could have taken from the NFD. Stars is a top quality team,’ he added.
‘It’s a bit sad that I am missing the Rio Olympics. It was one of my dreams to make the Olympics. It’s unfortunate that I am missing that. I believe the move to Stars will earn me a place, though I have to work for it, in the Bafana Bafana team. I would be fighting to represent my country in a World Cup. There’s world cup coming soon. There’s also one in 2022.’
Hoffman believes that with the quality of the players at the club, Dikwena will do well during the new season after finishing third in the Absa Premiership last season.
‘We have so many good young players. The older guys are also helping in mentoring the boys. The quality of players is just phenomenal. It’s just nice to see youngsters pushing to be recognized at the club. I have been here for a week or so but I think the club will do well because we have a quality team,’ he said.
He admits that he is relishing the chance to work under coach Cavin Johnson and is looking forward to getting much need game time under his belt.
‘Cavin is a very good coach when it comes to youth development. It’s one of the reasons why I wanted to come to Stars because hopefully, I can fight for a place in the first team.’
‘With coach Cavin being open minded and giving youngsters a chance to play, I am looking forward to that. I am hoping to get game time here and help the club to reach its ultimate goals,’ the goalkeeper concluded.
