Keegan Ritchie admits he enjoyed donning the Gold and Black shirt of Kaizer Chiefs but not as much as he could have and has explained why.
The defender was in the books of Amakhosi between 2011 and 2014 having signed from the crosstown rivals Moroka Swallows.
In 2014, he signed for SK Slavia Prague, however, due to the club’s cash-flow problems, he was let go just a few months after joining.
Ritchie acknowledges that his time with the Soweto giants was one of the most enjoyable periods of his professional career. However, he believes he could have enjoyed it even more if he had joined Chiefs later in his career rather than at the young age of 20.
He feels he was intimidated being around the “superstars,” some of whom represented South Africa in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, such as Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siboniso Gaxa, and Tshepo Masilela.
WHY KEAGAN RITCHIE DIDN’T ENJOY HIMSELF TO THE FULLEST AT KAIZER CHIEFS
“I enjoyed being at Chiefs but not as much though because I think I was a bit young at 20,” he said during the exclusive interview with FARPost.
“You’re joining the club; you see the Shabbas, the Yeyes, the Gaxas, the Tshepo Masilelas and the Khunes.
“You’re a young player, and you saw these guys who played the World Cup, and you’re like…so you’re intimidated.”
Ritchie says if he were to take back the time, he would stay at Swallows and move to Chiefs later when he’s mature.
‘I FELT LIKE WHO AM I? KIND OF THING’
“If I could go back I would have spent more time at Swallows and sign for [Chiefs] a bit later when I’m more mature,” he continued. “Going onto the field with [Chief] superstars, I felt like who am I kind of thing.
“The club is huge, and people expect a lot from players. Coming to a club like Chiefs, for me it was just that, dealing with that pressure. I probably went there later in my career, probably at 22 or 23; I think I would have done a lot better.
“For me, I think went too early.”
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