SLOW BURNER

It may have taken Taariq Fielies a number of years to become a regular in the DStv Premiership, but he is now among the best defenders in the league. By Dylan Appolis

From being discarded by Ajax Cape Town to getting a chance to prove himself at Cape Town City, Taariq Fielies has staked his claim as being one of the most formidable defenders in the Premier Soccer League.

Born and bred in Cape Town, the 30-year-old started young: "I started my football as a hobby at the age of five at a local club, Salt River FC and from there, I went on to play for Rygersdal, and when I arrived at the Ajax academy, that's basically when things started to kick in," Fielies told SoccerClub.

He continued to progress after joining the famed Ajax youth academy in 2009, coming up through the ranks before he was later promoted to the senior team.

He made his debut for the Urban Warriors in their 1-0 victory over Maritzburg United in the Premiership on 7 December, 2012, when he came on as a 64th-minute substitute to replace veteran defender Matthew Booth.

"I made my debut at age 19 for Ajax; I recall it all, replacing Matthew Booth. I was very nervous standing along the line ready to come on - even my mouth was dry," he admitted.

"I said a prayer before coming on and I told myself 'this is your time, have your first accurate pass and win your first tackle. Of course, there were other senior players who made it easy for me, who motivated me to want more of what I tasted."