Benni McCarthy once compared Thabo Nodada to former France and Chelsea midfield combatant N'Golo Kanté.
That bold comparison was made four years ago by McCarthy, who was the coach of Cape Town City at the time, as Nodada’s career was on an upward trajectory and he was linked to some of the big teams in Gauteng.
Nothing came out of that and he remained in Cape Town, but there is a generally held belief among football fans that he didn't take his football to another level.
In his prime, Nodada, 28, was a combative midfielder in the mould of Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi or Tinashe Nengomasha and he formed a devastating central midfield partnership with Roland Putsche and Thabo Mokeke.
Nodada, Putsche and Mokeke provided cover for attacking players such as Aubrey Ngoma, Lebohang Manyama, Teko Modise, Lehlohonolo Majoro and Ayanda Patosi, who terrorised opposition defenders.
Asked about his career progression over the past few years, Nodada said he respects people’s opinions that he didn’t fulfil his true potential, but noted he has been part of the City side which is one of the most consistent teams in the Premier Soccer League.
“There will always be room for improvement because I operate in a game like football where trends are changing every day, you are never fully complete,” he said.
“There is no day when I don't go out looking to do my best. I control the inputs and the outputs are controlled by God. If you were to tally the points collected over the past few years in the league, Mamelodi Sundowns is first and Cape Town City is second and I have been with City all these years.”
Nodada is a senior player and is happy with his contributions at the club that went into the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) break second on the DStv Premiership standings.
“If there is more I need to do, you will see it on the field, because I always want to be the best version of myself by playing the best football. Football is seasons, sometimes you play a role where you are in the front and sometimes you play a supporting role.
“I take solace in that today we have never finished outside the top eight on the log. I take solace in that we are second on the log now and that for about three seasons we have qualified for Caf club competitions.
“We didn’t go through to the late stages in Caf, but the most important thing is we are there and those are things I can be proud of because not a lot of people get to celebrate such achievements.”
Nodada is open to moving out of Cape Town.
“If you want something you go out and get it. I am still where I started. I am with Cape Town City, but whoever is interested in my services needs to speak to my club. I am open to advancing my career.”
Four years ago, McCarthy said Nodada just needed an opportunity to show what he could do in Europe.
“If I have to make a comparison‚ I’d say take N'Golo Kanté out of Chelsea and put Thabo Nodada in there and I don’t think people will spot the difference. I think he’s got what it takes to play in the biggest leagues in Europe.
“It takes a lot to say this because I know there are not a lot of players in South Africa who have what it takes. It is more than talent‚ it’s more like tenacity and passion. You need to play the game like you are playing on the streets with other children,” McCarthy said at the time.
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