After winning the golden boot at the national Under-21 Championships in Mafikeng last week, striker Dylan ‘O Brien is hoping to lead Kovsies to a historic semifinal spot in the Varsity Football competition.
‘O Brien scored six goals for Free State Province to help them to win the annual championship title at the North West University. He is already dreaming of another golden boot in Kovsies colours.
O’Brien does not want to rest on his laurels and he strongly believes that Varsity Football will provide him with the biggest platform of showcasing his goal scoring prowess than the recent competition that he played in. The talented teenager’s biggest wish is to play in the Premiership for one of the leading football clubs in the country.
O’Brien watched Kovsies suffer a 1-0 defeat on the opening day against UP-Tuks in Pretoria. He was an unused substitute and coach Godfrey Tenoff, who heaped praise on his striker, said he didn’t wanted to risk him after he played five matches in one week at the national competition.
Tenoff said: “We felt that Dylan is fatigued after playing too many matches in a short space of time.
“But we will give him a run in the next match against Limpopo. We didn’t want to risk any injuries as we still need him in the next match.”
O’ Brien said Varsity Football is tougher than the U21 tournament, but he is confident that his side will make it into the last four by ensuring a top four finish on the log table.
O’ Brien said: “It was disappointing to see my team lose watching from the bench. I felt a bit tired, but still wanted to play a small part.
“But the competition is much tougher, physical and the guys are more experienced in the Varsity football tournament. The football that is played here is more competitive and there is too much pressure to perform than at the provincial level,” he added.
Dylan will start against Limpopo in Bloemfontein and he says that he will score to help his side to win their first game of the season.
“We will go into the next game to show everyone what we are made off. I just want score goals and help my team to get the three points.”
The 19-year-old Human Movement Science student, says that his side has grown as a team and that they are not scared of anyone.
“We are capable of beating any team in this competition,” he warned.
By Charles Baloyi – Sports writer for the Daily Sun and Sunday Sun Newspapers
