Goalkeeper Lindeka Gqoboka, from Philippi, a member IThemba Labantu Academy’s women’s squad, was among a number of seasoned and upcoming goalkeepers from across the city who took part in former professional Farouk Abrahams’ two-day goalkeeper course, held in Wynberg, at the weekend.
Gqoboka, who also plays for Green Lovers FC in Safa Cape Town’s Regional Women’s League, said she’s been a goalkeeper since she started playing soccer at age 9.
A little bit of an introvert, Gqoboka is in her element between the poles and takes every opportunity to improve her game.
“Doing this course will help me grow as much as it is going to help me grow other goalkeepers within the community,” she said.
“I have gained the knowledge that the role of the goalkeeper coach is to prepare the goalkeeper both physically and mentally for a game,” she said.
“Goalkeepers are usually the most underrated and under-appreciated players in a football team. Unlike strikers, who are praised for scoring goals despite missing plenty of chances, one error is enough to turn goalies from heroes to villains,” said Gqoboka who believes more should be done to assist goalkeepers, especially, in the women’s game.
“The implementation of goalkeeper coaches can be done , head coaches spend more time focusing on the players whilst neglecting the goalie but still expect them to save goals, having a goalkeeper coach at any club will literally make everyone’s job easier and everyone will be looked after,” she said.