Brett Evans is in the building and is answering your questions! Today he discusses his career, coaching, missing penalties, the issue of race, and why Ajax Cape Town are underperforming.
What are you up to these days? – Fofana-Samba
My wife and I had a daughter, she is eight months old. So we've been in San Diego for the past four years. At the moment, I'm coaching at a local youth club, going into my fifth season there. I'm also assistant coach at a university/college team.
Would you love to coach a local club one day? – Dimbaza
Yeah, when I look back on my career and the time playing for Ajax and the national team, I would love to be part of something. I see myself fitting in locally. I would love to coach at a youth level in the long term. We'll see, right now I'm enjoying where I'm at. Professionally, I don't see myself being a head coach in the near future, but you never know, with the experience I'm gaining in the States and all.
Some youngsters feel the colour of your skin matters in other teams (excluding Ajax), is this true? – Khoza-Force-Me-Out
From my side, my perceptions of the game were very different to the majority of the country and how they play. I was very fortunate to join the School of Excellence at a young age. I got an opportunity to play with some really good players at a young age. That broadened my perspective. I pretty much think it's a fair game if you have the talent. Basically, if you put the work in, the coach will always select the best player possible. I was never the most talented in the team, but I made sure I was the hardest-working. I loved to play so that helped me progress my career. I'd like to think that it's always going to be the most talented who are chosen. Within my experience, I don't think colour comes into it. Of course, as a white boy you need to adapt your outlook, because if you want to play pro in South Africa you need a certain style of play. And if the coach wants you to play a certain way, you need to adapt.
What do you think is keeping Ajax from being more successful? – Mentashe
Look, it's tough with the youngsters. I haven't seen them play much from the other side of the world, but I think it comes with the territory. It's a very competitive league, and it's getting better and better all the time. It's the nature of the game. You know, some people demand success from these youngsters – you've got the talent so they question why you are not doing it week in and week out. It's not easy to keep a level head. They got to where they are maybe with a little bit of arrogance, a little bit of self-belief, and then they are told to be humble and put their head down. It's a contradictory thing to what they are. They dream to get to this level and they want to enjoy it, so it's difficult to explain to someone unless they've been through it. It's tough; when you're 18 and have to be consistent week in and week out. It's a tough job, and that's what it is, a job. You're going to make mistakes.
Have you ever missed a penalty? – Ant-55
Oh yes, plenty of times. I remember I scored a free-kick against Chiefs away, I'm not sure when. A few minutes later, I went and scored a penalty, all in the first half. Then I got another penalty. I was about to get a hat-trick in the first half, and I hit the post. The ball came straight back to me and it happened so quickly that I couldn't touch it again. We ended up drawing the game 3-3, with Franklin Cale scoring a screamer in the last 10 minutes to help us out.
Keep your eyes on Supporters Club tomorrow to find out why playing against Jerry Sikhosana was so tough, what his fondest memories are, why he retired, and what it was like featuring for Bafana Bafana.
