These days footballers’ ‘loyalty’ – even in the amateur leagues – only stretches as far as the paycheck does – and that is putting it mildly!
However, amidst the money madness and times where talk is cheap and loyalty can be bought, there are occasionally the exception to the rule – and Young Pirates’ Taahir Jumat (pictured left) is a perfect example thereof.
But please, don’t take my word as gospel as there are coaches who are in a better position to testify that Jumat is one of the best in the business – Like his coach at the third division club, Pirates, Roger Fortune.
Now, Fortune is an individual that will under no circumstances dish out compliments for the sake of flattering or scoring brownie points, but rather with admiration and respect. And according to Fortune, the 32-year-old lefty is one of the top players in Safa Cape Town’s structures.
Fortune explained to No Bones with Jones: “Well, Taahir is without a doubt one of my most loyal players that’s been with me since the start of my coaching career. I don’t think there are many like him out there hey. We started with Young Pirates back in 2015 in Strand. In 2016 we came to Heideveld.
Fortune further added. “He is a very, very talented player and a natural goalscorer with good qualities – loyalty, honesty and integrity. He is also very versatile and can slot in almost anywhere. He might not be our captain, but he is certainly one of the leaders on and off the field. He is also very unlucky as I personally feel he would have easily made it in the top leagues if he was afforded that opportunity, you know,” Fortune added.
Jumat is also well-travelled after having played for Motsepe League clubs like Santos FC as well as lower down in the third division for Matroosfontein FC and Goal50 United. But more importantly, he is one of the most decorated players locally.
His success record dates back to 2016 when he and Fortune won the Coke Cup. A year later they also won promotion to the third division. This was followed up by yet another promotion success with Pirates to Motsepe league and then Covid hit which brought the whole world to a standstill. Last season he also played a huge role In Everton’s promotion success to the third division.
But then again, Jumat’s exploits in the football circles shouldn’t come as a surprise as he hails from a long a long lineage of footballers that has played pro football for top clubs in the Mother City – like his dad Hannes (pictured right), who was a prolific striker in the years of the mighty Wynberg St. Johns also played in the early days at Santos before they become Lightbody’s Santos
Not to mention his uncle’s Peter and Keith. The former had a fantastic career with clubs like Hellenic, Santos and Manning Rangers while Keith also featured for Wynberg St. Johns and Santos.
