Zuma hails Dirang Moloi

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Thursday December 9, 2010 00:00

He has singled out the midfielder as the best player at South African Premiership side, Vasco Da Gama. Zuma who has plied his trade in Europe is the captain of the club. He says that Moloi's talent will open doors to European leagues.

Moloi joined the Premiership newcomers at the start of the season but was sidelined for sometime because his work and resident permits were not out. After the paper work was sorted out, the Zebras' midfielder has featured in all Vasco's games and put up outstanding performances.

'Dirang has proven to be a great player. He has come in and made a significant contribution in the few games he has played for us. In fact, I rate him as the best player we have at Vasco Da Gama currently. He definitely has a bright future ahead of him,' says Zuma, a former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns' forward.

He is convinced Moloi has what it takes to be the first Motswana to break into the demanding European leagues.

He can make it in Europe especially if he goes through the smaller leagues.

His talent can really take him that far, but it all depends on how much he works right now,' he says. He has noticed that Moloi has changed his bad boy image earned while playing in Botswana. He says the player has shown discipline and dedication ever since he joined Vasco Da Gama.

'I think he has noticed that he has a lot of potential and has really made an effort to show discipline and dedication.

He is a hard worker and is always punctual at training and I think that is what he has to do if he is to maintain his starting place in the team. We have so many good players that are currently sitting on the bench because of him so he cannot afford to relax,' Zuma says.

Once hailed as 'the Golden Boy' of Bafana Bafana, the 35-year-old Zuma spent most of the past decade in Europe, mainly helping FC Copenhagen to win numerous honours. He was voted player of the decade in Denmark. However, Moloi is not fazed by what Zuma has achieved. He says playing alongside a player of Zuma's calibre is nothing out of the ordinary for him. He believes there is very little separating him from his veteran skipper.

'It has become normal to me. It was different when I was still playing in Botswana but now we train together and we share a bottle of water. I don't think there's a huge difference in our level of play. But I must admit he is a legendary striker and it is obviously an honour to play alongside a player of his calibre. I just have to learn what I have to from him and be a better player,' Moloi said.

He is happy about his performances for the Cape side in the four games he has featured in. He vows not to rest on his laurels because of a few good performances. 'I know people will say I have done well but I feel I need to continue working hard and maintain a bit of consistency for the whole season,' he says.

Meanwhile, Botswana international striker Jerome Ramatlhakwana has stopped training with Vasco Da Gama after his intended move to the club stalled. His club, Santos, are seemingly not willing to let him go for free despite sidelining him for two seasons. The former Mochudi Centre Chiefs' star has been training with Vasco Da Gama since the pre-season. He impressed the technical team but now he has stopped training after he realised he will not be signed. His contract with Santos ends in June next year.