Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Keagan Dolly has revealed how his love for the club began at a young age and how he even went as far as dyeing his hair to emulate his hero of the time, Jabu “Pule” Mahlangu.
The former Montpellier player recounted how he fashioned his hair while he was at Westbury Arsenal and coached by his father, Ramon Dolly.
“I grew up supporting Kaizer Chiefs. That time there were players like coach Arthur Zwane and Jabu Pule. I remember when I used to play for Westbury Arsenal Under-8 and Under-9, I used to dye my hair in different colours,” said Dolly.
“I had spots one time. So, those are the people who I looked up to and also Steven Pienaar because I’m from Westbury. He went to the School of Excellence, to Ajax Cape Town. I also said whatever Steven does I would like to do it. Luckily I went to the School of Excellence, to Ajax Cape Town but then I went to Europe and came back but I learnt a lot from him from a young age.”
Dolly further recounted how his admiration for the players he looked up to became more real when they visited his team’s training sessions.
“It started at Westbury Arsenal. It’s a team that Steve Pienaar also played for. We had a connection with Ajax Cape Town. I remember one time they came to where we were training with players like Nathan Paulse, Moeneeb Josephs, all these people I looked up to and used to see them on TV. It made me realise that it felt more real to me and I wanted to be like them.”
The former Bafana Bafana star concluded by expressing his gratitude towards his father for helping him reach where he is now and encouraging young players to keep striving for their dreams.
“My father has who was my coach helped me to reach where I have reached now and I am grateful for that. That’s why when I see young players try their luck I always support them because I know where it all starts. We just have to support them and they can also make it like I did.”
