Soccer

Cape Town City's Kermit Erasmus walks the talk

European excursions were not a failure, argues Erasmus

10 March 2019 - 00:05 By SAZI HADEBE

Kermit Erasmus is on a mission to prove a big point.
No, Erasmus talks about proving a point to himself first, and he believes that once he's done that, the rest will automatically take care of itself.
When he's spitting fire like this, it is easy to assume that the 28-year-old lad from Port Elizabeth wants to show his critics what he's really made of.
We come to Erasmus's mission right towards the end of our conversation - when we veer off to his two forgettable stints in Europe.
The Cape Town City striker's record in Europe contains nothing to enthuse about. However, Erasmus is quick to explain and admit he's never made the impact that everyone thought he had matured enough to make, especially in his second spell after leaving Orlando Pirates in January 2016.
He explains that his failure to make his name in Europe was not because of his lack of trying or his faults.
"I cannot agree with those who say I failed in Europe," Erasmus quickly gushes to his defence. "Failure is when you've been given a chance to do something and you failed. For me I don't see it as a failure but a learning curve.
"I've learnt a lot about myself and I have learnt to believe a lot more in myself as a footballer. It has made me stronger and it has made me hungrier and gave more the desire to do the things I'm capable of doing."
Certainly, Erasmus has shown the hunger he's talking about at City where he's scored three goals in the club's last three tough league games.
Against pacesetters Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits, Benni McCarthy's City made two dramatic comebacks to collect the six points which saw The Citizens forcing themselves among strong contenders for the Absa Premiership title.
"I'm just trying to enjoy each game as it comes because sometimes as footballers we forget to enjoy being in the moment of the game because you're thinking too far ahead. That's what I have learnt elsewhere, you've got to enjoy the moment," said Erasmus of his and his team's current form.
"I'm doing this for myself and not to please anybody but to benefit myself as an individual. I'm finally seeing the reward of that."
If another chance to play in Europe comes, will he take it again? "I wouldn't say I would and I wouldn't say I wouldn't, you know. I'm too focused on the present for now. I'm not thinking too far ahead because life is short, man. I've learnt to appreciate things in the present, you've got to enjoy what you have now. Appreciate it now.
"That's what I've learnt about being in Europe, that's what I've learnt about myself. Believing in myself and knowing that it's all in my hands and not expecting anything from anybody."
Reading from the same script as his coach McCarthy, Erasmus is doing all he can to downplay City's chances in the league, only preferring to thank his coach for giving him a chance to revive his career.
"It's a great feeling and I'm just trying to do my best for the team because the coach has given me the opportunity to do that.
"As far as winning the league, I would say we are not there yet," explained Erasmus, "We want to think about that when we cross that bridge. For me, we all know what it will mean to the club and the city of Cape Town if that happens. But for me as a footballer I'm just focusing on our next game [on March 15], which is [against] Polokwane City."
Erasmus's form has prompted his coach McCarthy to say it will be difficult for Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter to ignore him when he names his team to face Libya in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Sfax, Tunisia, on March 24.
"Yes of course I would be lying if I say I won't be excited to be recalled to the national team. I would love to be called and probably go with the team that will represent the country in the Afcon. I've never played with the [senior] national team at any major tournament. So, it would be a great opportunity."
hadebes@tisoblackstar.co.za..

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