Khayelitsha kid living his dream in Belgium

GroundUp: What is your training schedule like? Do you practice every day?

Patosi: Yes, every day. Only Wednesday I’m normally free.

GroundUp: How you did got Involved in Soccer?

Patosi: You see I grew up in a place where most people love football and they always talk about football. So I was 7 years old when I started to play for a team in the township and I was an important player for our under 9 team. From there I started my football.

GroundUp: Do you have a special routine or superstition before you play a big game?

Patosi: All the games for me are big games, so before the game I pray and tell myself that I want to go out there and make me happy, not to impress the coach. I want to have good performance that I would be proud of. So that helps me a lot. When you trying to impress someone you never play your normal game. So I remind myself before the match that I’m there to represent and want to be happy after the match.

GroundUp: With so many amazing goals and wins, what has been your proudest moment on the field?

Patosi: The best moment is when I scored against Club Brugge in Brugges and also a volley goal against Standard Liege. It’s just a great feeling to score those kinds of goals in front of a lot of people. And one of the best moments I will never forget is when I scored on my birthday on a derby match against Beveren in the 89th minute. These were great moments in my career so far and they motivate me.

GroundUp: Did you have any challenges in your soccer career especially before playing soccer in Belgium?

Patosi: Yes I had a lot of challenges. Firstly I had to sacrifice to be away from home and friends and it’s difficult. I only speak Xhosa and English and I came to a country where they speak Flemish (similar to Dutch) and French. It’s been difficult but I am strong mentally. That’s all you need when you are away from your people. I have a really big challenge right now. I just had an operation and when I was discharged out of hospital all I wanted was my family especially my Mom because being alone in pain isn’t easy. You need your mom’s touch.

GroundUp: How has the moved to Belgium been?

**Patosi: It’s been great so far. And the team us good too. We won the Belgium Cup in my first season with them.

GroundUp: Who is the sports icon that has influenced you the most?

Patosi: Anele Ngcongca (South African football player who currently plays for Belgian Jupiler League club Racing Genk.) I met him when I was 16. I went to train with Genk and I was living at his apartment with him. Watching him playing a few games was a great motivation for me. Ever since then I worked harder. We speak regularly. He always motivates me and gives me guidance in my career.