Former Cape Town City star Peter Leeuwenburgh has shed light on the difference between Eredivisie and DStv Premiership, the quality of forwards in South Africa and the goalkeeper who impressed him most.
Leeuwenburgh sat down with KickOff for an exclusive chat on his time in the DStv Premiership and the unique qualities of South African football.
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The shot stopper has sat down with Kickoff to reflect on his exit from John Comitis side while giving his verdict on how Mamelodi Sundowns dominance could be brought to an end.
Hi Peter, going back to the start Why did you leave Cape Town City?
"I felt it was the right time, I played a lot of games and got a lot of experience here in South Africa. For me it was the right time to leave. After three years, our son was born in Cape Town and we wanted to live closer to home.
"It was my childhood dream to play in the Eredivisie. When you grow up in Netherlands and you want to become a professional footballer then the Eredivisie is the highest you can reach within the country. I really wanted to reach this goal."
Last season you made over 30 appearances for FC Groningen, Tell me about your experience in Netherlands so far?
"It was a big difference from South Africa with the DStv Premiership. The pressure is a lot higher from my experience.
"Football is what keeps everybody busy here(Netherlands) and in South Africa it is a bit smaller. There is more football fans in Eredivisie and the sport is a bigger picture in the daily lives of people so the pressure is a lot higher as the stadiums are always full.
"For example, in FC Groningen's stadium, there is always 20 000 people cheering only for us.That for me was the big difference."
I have noticed that you have made less appearances this season. What has changed?
"They brought another goalkeeper in this season, the club wanted some fresh blood. New coach as well with a lot of new players as many left.
"They believe that the other goalkeeper has to play. I only played six games this season and with my contract expiring it is not very likely that they will put me in again. The other goalkeeper is also doing very well."
Speaking about your contract situation. Would you like to stay at FC Groningen or are you open to a new lease of life somewhere else?
"I'm open to moving somewhere else, I have to be realistic. Whether I want to stay or not. The biggest chance is that I will leave the club and look for another opportunity.
Would a return to South Africa perhaps peak your interest?
"A return to South Africa would interest me. I would consider it if the right club gave me a call. if one of the bigger clubs would consider me then i would definitely consider them. I enjoyed my time in South Africa where I felt appreciated and that is why I would not a rule out a return."
If you compared the level of the DStv Premiership and Eredivisie, which one was tougher and why?
"Dutch league, the level is just higher than the PSL. I can be honest about it, this is not in any disrespect to South African football but just my opinion. It's harder to play at this level."
With regards to your career, I saw that you featured for the Junior Dutch sides, do you still have hopes of making your debut for the top team?
"At the moment, not really. Hopes of course and dreams but if you are at Groningen, the chances of making the national team are slim
"I would love to play for them but it is not going to happen in the near future."
Going back to your time at Cape Town City, you worked with Benni McCarthy, what was he like as a coach?
"Benni for me was one of the best coaches i ever had especially the management side. Keeping everybody happy and together, he was very good at that. I had a lot of coaches and some were big names, but he was one of the best. I owe him a lot because he put me in straight away after only four training sessions.
"He gave me all of his trust so i will always appreciate and be thankful to him. I could see he has a lot of talent as a coach because he was young and inexperienced, but he managed us so well. He was very friendly, kind and respectful to everybody. I still talk to him sometimes."
Taking your comments into context, Benni was later replaced by Dutchman Jan Olde Riekerink, did you think this was the right decision?
"Yes, I can imagine why the club took the decision to hire Riekerink as a head coach. Looking at his CV where he used to work, I probably would have done the same.
"It did not end well for Riekerink but we also had very good periods under him. I completely understand why Cape Town City hired him."
The strikers in the DStv Premiership are often slammed for not scoring enough goals. In your time in the league, what did you think of the quality of forwards?
"The difference with forwards in Netherlands is big but that is in every position and not only forwards. I used to work with Fagrie Lakay, Kermit Erasmus, Surprise Ralani and they were very good players.
"I saw a lot of talent in South Africa as people tend to be born with a lot of natural ability in South Africa but the biggest problem is not using their talent and they do not realise who they might be or could be if they put everything aside for their career."
During your time in South Africa, is there any goalkeepers that caught your eye?
"I always thought that Ronwen Williams was good. I saw a lot of goalkeepers make a show for every dive with some laying down on the ground like they broke their shoulder after a save.
"Williams is number one for national team now, Williams is probably the best that I saw.
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With Sundowns en route to secure a a sixth league title in a row, it said that their spending is making the league non-competitive. What is your opinion on the topic?
"It is time for Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates to step up and bring in a few players to compete with them. If Sundowns wants to buy all those players that's okay, that is the world we live in. If they can pay you so much salary that you cannot refuse then you cannot disagree with players making the move.
"It is just a little bit too much but I also think Pirates and Chiefs also have a lot of money to spend."
Earlier you spoke about some of the quality teammates you played with, I just want to know who are the best players you ever shared a field with?
"Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. I played with them at Ajax Amsterdam and they were among the best players."
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