Newly-signed Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse admits that he is excited at the prospect of working with veteran shot-stoppers Denis Onyango and Kennedy Mweene.
The former Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper completed a shock move from SuperSport United to cross-town rivals Sundowns last week.
When asked about his decision to join the former CAF Champions League winners considering that they have three goalkeepers in Onyango, Mweene and Thela Ngobeni, in their ranks, the former Shamrock Rovers man cited the need to grow as a player.
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‘I obviously feel really happy and excited to work with the likes of Denis, Kennedy and Thela, because I know this move will make me a better goalkeeper and player,’ he told kickoff.
‘At the end of the day, the most important thing is growth and development, and to obviously become better in all aspects of my game,’ he added.
Pieterse left Amakhosi in 2016 in the hope of more game-time after playing second-fiddle to Bafana Bafana number one Itumeleng Khune.
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At SuperSport, he faced similar woes, largely playing back-up to Ronwen Williams.
‘Obviously, I would have loved to play more games at SuperSport, but the competition was also really good there between myself and Ronwen.
‘It was really tough and I enjoyed it as well, and I felt I improved in some areas. For me, obviously, it wasn’t the move that I expected it to be, but at the end of the day, I can only be disappointed in myself and no one else.
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‘Now I still feel like I have a long way to go to be close to the likes of Denis, Kennedy and Thela, but I believe this is a stepping stone for me to improve.
‘I’m also familiar with the goalkeeper coach Wendell Robinson, who I’ve worked with before, and he also knows how to get the best out of me, so I’m looking forward to it. It won’t be easy, but I’ll welcome the challenge,’ he concluded.
