In our exciting feature How I Became A Goalkeeper, KickOff catches up with former SuperSport United goalkeeper Jacob Mokhasi.
The former South Africa international says he was more talented as an outfield player compared to goalkeeping.
I'm sure you have an interesting story to tell about how you became a goalkeeper.
READ | My Dream Team - Jacob Mokhasi
"With me, it started very strange because since my youth days, I was playing as an outfield player," Mokhasi tells KickOff.
"And to me, it just happened, I was playing in all the positions. With me it started when I was at High School, my friends just told me to go and stand in the goalposts, and just like that I became a goalkeeper.
"And I thank God for that because outfield players are so many, but goalkeepers are few. I only started taking goalkeeping seriously when I was in High School.
"The former SAFA Free-State president Dick Nkuna is the one who opened doors for me by recommending me to Vodacom League side Welkom Stars."
Who are some of the goalkeepers that you looked up to?
"Growing up I used to watch a lot of soccer, I looked up to the likes of Wade Du Plessis at Kaizer Chiefs, William Shongwe, and Peter Bala'c.
"Then followed the generation of Brian Baloyi, John Tlale who is from my kasi.
"In Europe, I followed the likes of Oliver Kahn."
Currently, who is your favorite goalkeeper?
"[Laughs] You know what is happening now is, the good goalkeepers you don't see them, they are on the bench.
"Unfortunately they are not given a chance to showcase their talent. Most of these clubs prefer foreigners as goalkeepers.
"Their talent cannot be seen, because they are always on the bench. Whoever thought Sipho Chaine would be Orlando Pirates' first-choice?
"Whichever team he played for in the past Sipho Chaine he was always on the bench, he was third-choice, even at Chippa United.
"But Pirates gave him a chance, and he grabbed it with both hands.
"Ronwen Williams, when I was still at SuperSport United he was a benchwarmer. Then someone believed in him, and look what he is doing today."
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