Former Cape Town City forward, Riyaad Norodien has spoken about his time with Benni McCarthy whilst at the Citizens.
Norodien was bought from Orlando Pirates for an undisclosed fee, on a five year contract on the 15th of June 2018.
“I was on loan at Platinum Stars and I did well, coach Benni saw me and he wanted me to come to City. Again another moment of history, when a Cape Town boy comes back home and wins the MTN 8 with Cape Town City for the second time, the first time was with Ajax Cape Town. You know how it was with Cape Town City and Benni McCarthy, we tried to build a team that was gonna be spoken about for many years and leaving a legacy,” Riyaad Norodien told ThisIsFootball.Africa.
“I will cherish my time with Benni at City for the rest of my life. The guy had his way, he had his aura, he didn’t settle for anything less. As a player that makes you develop certain things where you can’t not give your all. With Benni you are always giving your best. We played total football. I was enjoying myself and I was at home too. Those comeback games against Wits with my free kick and the games against Sundowns, all those things meant a lot.”
Here “Skilo” as he is affectionately known, is referring to the game where Cape Town City were two nil down at half time, but rallied back with two goals. Then Riyaad earned and scored a sumptuous free kick to take the lead and complete the comeback at the Bidvest Wits Stadium in March 2019. Benni McCarthy brought a professionalism, and a ‘never say die’ attitude that is still inside players like Riyaad Norodien until today.
“Basically never giving up and enjoying yourself fully, people will remember that era,” continued Norodien.
“Because now you look at City and I don’t really see that football. Not to talk bad about the club, because I still have mad love for the club and what they stand for. But that era we were there and the type of players we had, like Mobara, Me, Morris, Chris David and Kermit Erasmus. Top players, and one of the top teams you’re gonna get. It spoke for itself, and we won games. We were second in the league, and those are all things I can be proud of. Now Benni is at Manchester United, that alone speaks about the quality of the guy himself. At Cape Town City with Benni, he gave me that feeling that I belonged.”
Riyaad Norodien is now plying his trade in Rwanda with Kiyovu Sports hoping to secure their first Rwandan National Soccer league title, with the team currently in pole position.
