‘I’m here because of money’ – ex-Bafana star player in Iran

Cape Town City midfielder Ayanda Patosi has detailed on why he relishes the opportunity of plying his trade far away from his comfort zone in order to feed his family.

Read: SA club boss lands top job in Belgium!

Patosi, 27, is currently on loan at Persian Gulf Pro League outfit Foolad FC, with both City and the Iranian outfit looking to make the deal permanent ahead of next season after this impressive two-year loan stint showing.

Ayanda Patosi Plunges Into War Zone Joins Iranian Club On 6-Month Loan
Ayanda Patosi with his Foolad FC teammates. (Image: Diski365.com)

The Khayelitsha-born winger has explained why at some stage in your playing career you need to focus on the financial aspects.

“There’s a certain time in your career where you need to forget a bit about Europe and explore other financial avenues,” Patosi told the South African Football Journalists’ Association.

“In my view, going to some places like Kuwait, Qatar, China and Dubai, when you’re 28 or 29 and you know you haven’t made it to a big European league, is the better option than staying in Belgium.

“But when you’re younger, you have to give Europe a try and try to make the top five leagues in the world. There are loads of footballers who have suffered at the end of their careers because they were afraid to go and play in Muslim countries.

“Life is not easy when you move away from your family and you go and experience a different culture. Who knew that I would play in Iran? I don’t think any South African thought I would play here but I made the choice because I have a family to feed at the end of the day and they are depending on me.

“You have to forget about Khayelitsha’s tshisa nyamas and you have to go there and try to achieve what you want and meet your goals. It helps a lot to try enjoy your new environment, try to speak the language, enjoy the weather and the food and culture,” he said.

Patosi has no regrets of missing out playing in one of the top four leagues in the world (English, French, Italian and Spanish), even after setting the Belgium top-flight division alight with Lokeren FC.

“Football can take you into a different direction and sometimes where you don’t want to go,” Patosi said.

“I grew up wanting to play in the top four leagues in the world and, in the first two years there, I was doing well in Belgium, before suffering an injury that took me out for about seven to nine months.

“I struggled to come back and find good form for about a year. I can honestly say I didn’t do enough to earn a move to the top leagues but I managed to stay in Belgium before going home and playing for Cape Town City.

“I’m here because of money, at the end of the day. Most footballers get into the game because they have to feed their families and the love they have for football.

“But the longer I’ve stayed here, I’ve started to enjoy football in Iran,” he added.

Patosi has admitted his desire to turn out for Orlando Pirates when he returns to South Africa.