In our exciting feature How I Became A Goalkeeper, today KickOff had a chat with current SuperSport United goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.
The Bafana Bafana keeper says he was never gifted as an outfield player, and therefore opted for goalkeeping to avoid running too much during a match.
I'm sure you have an interesting story to share about how you became a goalkeeper?
"This thing grew within me from at an early age in Chesterville, my brother used to be a goalkeeper.
"At home they once bought me this winter hand gloves to wear, trying to keep me warm I guess. You know what I did, I used them as goalkeepers gloves. Because of that they were quickly damaged, and my parents almost ate me alive that day. I was nine years old. And that's how I became a goalkeeper.
"And plus I was a cow, I couldn't play inside, everytime I kicked a ball it landed on top of thorn trees.
"I hated the running. And liked the fact that goalkeepers don't run much, so I chose goalkeeping.
"My first game was in the Provincial Under-13 tournament, I represented under KZN, the AmaZulu goalkeeper Gumede was my centre-back, and we lost by 23-0 [laughs]. That's the day he decided to be a goalkeeper.
"I went to Golden Arrows, Muhsin Ertugral was a coach, but was soon replaced with coach Manqoba Mnqithi who did not hesitate in offering me a contract. That was in January 2015."
Who are some of the goalkeepers you followed?
"I had only one favourite. And that was Brian Baloyi. I even had a Bandana on my head just like he did, and just like him I wore an armband. It's just that nature of my hair doesn't allow me to have dreadlocks.
"Like Spiderman that man could fly, making some unbelievable saves, very acrobatic.
"When he moved from Chiefs to Sundowns I also followed him, I stoppped supporting Chiefs and became a Sundowns fan.
"I remember watching this one game where Itumeleng Khune outshone him in the penalty shoot-outs. It was Chiefs against Sundowns, and a young Itumeleng saved more penalties than Brian who couldn't save even one on the night. Because of that I became emotional, I cried."
Who are some of the goalkeepers who are your favourites today?
"I wouldn't say my favourite, but people that I look up to, I can count Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Sanele Tshabalala, Denis Onyango, Darren Keet, Kennedy Mweene, and Lee Langeveldt, I love that guy."