Don't fire Vries - Nauseb
Virgil Vries is in the firing line after some blunders made in goal for Kaizer Chiefs, but he still enjoys support in Namibia.
Former Kaizer Chiefs and Brave Warriors midfielder Robert Nauseb has pleaded with Kaizer Chiefs not to release Namibian goalkeeper Virgil Vries.
Vries has had a bumpy ride over the past couple of weeks with the South African premiership side, leading them to move him down the pecking order.
Vries, who inked a deal with the Amakhosi at the beginning of the season, had been standing in for first-choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, but after a series of spectacular blunders his future is looking bleak.
He was dropped from the team for the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates this past weekend.
Chiefs recently signed Nigerian international stopper Daniel Akpeyi from Chippa United and he was given the nod against Pirates.
Vries' recent failures have left several Chiefs fans sceptical and baying for his blood.
Vries infuriated them during a premiership match against Mamelodi Sundowns on 5 January when he prematurely came off his line and watched as the ball bounced in front of him and straight into the back of the net. Sundowns won 2-1. In a Confederation of African Football (CAF) game against Zambian side Zesco United, Zesco midfielder Anthony Akumu fired a long-range shot that caught Vries unawares, leaving him stranded about 20m off his line. Chiefs lost the game 1-2 (2-5 on aggregate) and bowed out of the competition.
Vries was again the villain after failing to hold onto a cross, resulting in a 0-1 loss against Cape Town City at the FNB Stadium on 30 January.
Nauseb, however, feels that Chiefs not given Vries enough support.
“I believe that now is the time for Kaizer Chiefs to rally behind their goalkeeper at all costs.
“We know he has made at least four mistakes that have cost the team, but we still believe in his abilities.
“It will not be an honourable thing for the club to let go of the player just because of a few mistakes,” Nauseb said.
He advised Virgil Vries to remain professional and work hard in training, in order for him to regain the trust of the coach and fans.
Nauseb says the best thing for Vries is not to allow any negative comments to drown him in his misery.
“Look, the Nigerian goalkeeper who replaced Vries is the second choice for his country and Virgil is number one for his country.
“The other goalkeeper who was on the bench against Orlando Pirates is not even somewhere near the national team.
“That is why he must remain optimistic about his future and never look back.
“I believe that many of us here in Namibia and many others do believe in him.”
Born in Keetmanshoop, Vries joined South African side Golden Arrows in 2011 from Eleven Arrows, signing a three-year contract.
In November 2011 a blunder against AmaZulu gained worldwide attention, making life difficult for the player.
In January 2012 he was loaned to second division side Carara Kicks.
Later in 2012, he signed a short-term contract with Orlando Pirates in the Namibian Premier League.
In January 2013 he was snapped up by another South African side, Maritzburg United.
He made 27 appearances for the club and kept clean sheets in eight games while conceding 23 goals, before signing for Kaizer Chiefs last year.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Vries has had a bumpy ride over the past couple of weeks with the South African premiership side, leading them to move him down the pecking order.
Vries, who inked a deal with the Amakhosi at the beginning of the season, had been standing in for first-choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, but after a series of spectacular blunders his future is looking bleak.
He was dropped from the team for the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates this past weekend.
Chiefs recently signed Nigerian international stopper Daniel Akpeyi from Chippa United and he was given the nod against Pirates.
Vries' recent failures have left several Chiefs fans sceptical and baying for his blood.
Vries infuriated them during a premiership match against Mamelodi Sundowns on 5 January when he prematurely came off his line and watched as the ball bounced in front of him and straight into the back of the net. Sundowns won 2-1. In a Confederation of African Football (CAF) game against Zambian side Zesco United, Zesco midfielder Anthony Akumu fired a long-range shot that caught Vries unawares, leaving him stranded about 20m off his line. Chiefs lost the game 1-2 (2-5 on aggregate) and bowed out of the competition.
Vries was again the villain after failing to hold onto a cross, resulting in a 0-1 loss against Cape Town City at the FNB Stadium on 30 January.
Nauseb, however, feels that Chiefs not given Vries enough support.
“I believe that now is the time for Kaizer Chiefs to rally behind their goalkeeper at all costs.
“We know he has made at least four mistakes that have cost the team, but we still believe in his abilities.
“It will not be an honourable thing for the club to let go of the player just because of a few mistakes,” Nauseb said.
He advised Virgil Vries to remain professional and work hard in training, in order for him to regain the trust of the coach and fans.
Nauseb says the best thing for Vries is not to allow any negative comments to drown him in his misery.
“Look, the Nigerian goalkeeper who replaced Vries is the second choice for his country and Virgil is number one for his country.
“The other goalkeeper who was on the bench against Orlando Pirates is not even somewhere near the national team.
“That is why he must remain optimistic about his future and never look back.
“I believe that many of us here in Namibia and many others do believe in him.”
Born in Keetmanshoop, Vries joined South African side Golden Arrows in 2011 from Eleven Arrows, signing a three-year contract.
In November 2011 a blunder against AmaZulu gained worldwide attention, making life difficult for the player.
In January 2012 he was loaned to second division side Carara Kicks.
Later in 2012, he signed a short-term contract with Orlando Pirates in the Namibian Premier League.
In January 2013 he was snapped up by another South African side, Maritzburg United.
He made 27 appearances for the club and kept clean sheets in eight games while conceding 23 goals, before signing for Kaizer Chiefs last year.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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