I Thought The World Was Against Me
Soccer Laduma|September 25, 2019
Virgil Vries was always going to be up against it at Kaizer Chiefs. His signing, as a free agent after being deemed surplus to requirements at Baroka FC at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, was met with raised eyebrows, for he did not come with a reputation. If anything, his goalkeeping credentials seemed to be dented by the odd blooper at his previous clubs, most notably one that made world headlines while still on the books of Golden Arrows. That he went on to step in for injured Itumeleng Khune is history. Noticeably, two forgettable games in the Amakhosi shirt defined his fate. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Beaver Nazo, an emotional VV, as he is affectionately known, talks about not living up to expectations at Naturena and reveals why Ernst Middendorp is not to blame for the club’s decision to let him go.
I Thought The World Was Against Me

Beaver Nazo: Virgil, any new developments in as far as your club search is concerned? A little birdie has informed us you could be flying into the Moroka Swallows nest.

Virgil Vries: No, man, I am still waiting for offers. My agent Jazzman (Mahlakgane) is working on getting me a team. My wish is to come back to the Absa Premiership, but right now I am here at home in Namibia. I haven’t heard anything about such a deal (Swallows deal). My agent did tell me about some teams showing interest, but nothing has been concrete as yet. We are working on something though.

BN: You had your contract with the Soweto giants terminated barely a year into your spell with the club. Let’s talk about that!

VV: I would say it was basically based on the two mistakes that I made. The coach (Ernst Middendorp) decided that he would not be using me this season and then the club felt that it would be of no use to keep me there when I will not be playing. So, it was a mutual termination.

BN: So coach Middendorp wasn’t happy with your performances?

VV: I wouldn’t say he wasn’t happy with the overall performances, but the two blunders that I made against Mamelodi Sundowns and Cape Town City respectively, which cost the team dearly.

BN: What did he say to you after the two aforementioned games?

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