Was Gordinho’s return to SA premature? CT City defender speaks out

Cape Town City FC defender Lorenzo Gordinho has opened up on whether he jumped the gun by returning to the DStv Premiership after his stint in Europe.

Aiming to test his skills in a more competitive environment, Gordinho joined the growing list of South African footballers seeking opportunities abroad.

Gordinho’s Danish adventure proved briefer than expected. After joining Viborg FF in the 2021/22 season, he moved to HB Koge. However, the former Kaizer Chiefs defender’s overall stay in Denmark only lasted a year and a half before his return to the DStv Premiership.

The talented centre-back joined the Citizens in January 2023, in the middle of the 2022/23 PSL campaign, and quickly became a key player because of his experience. To date, he has made 31 league appearances.

GORDINHO ON WHETHER HE LEFT THE EUROPEAN SCENE TOO EARLY

The 29-year-old says it wasn’t too early to leave Europe as the game of football is about opportunities. CT City opportunity represented itself and he took a decision.

“As a footballer, you cannot live on ‘what if’,” Gordinho told FARPost. You have to make a decision based on what you see in front of you at that moment.

“You might ignore an opportunity now, but then the next minute, it’s gone. At that time, I thought it was the right decision [signing for Cape Town City FC].

“It’s the option that I chose; I couldn’t wait to see ‘what if’ because I wasn’t sure what would happen next with my football in Europe.”

“Being in Europe was good for me; I was enjoying myself, and it was a good experience. For me, I think the difference was in the style of play, but since I’ve been back home, I think the level of our league has gotten higher.”

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