Ex-PSL forward shares about the challenges he faced during his time in the league

Struggles in the SA Elite League

Former PSL striker Naeem Amoojee opened up candidly about the challenges he faced during his stints in South Africa’s top-flight football.

In an interview with FARPost, he revealed the setbacks he encountered while representing Baroka FC and Moroka Swallows.

His honesty highlighted being overlooked, a lack of faith from coaches, and the crushing blow of being informed during his first training session at Baroka that he wouldn’t be utilized by his mentor, Matsemela Thoka.

Regrets and Missed Opportunities

Amoojee expressed regret about leaving Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) for Baroka in the PSL, citing the faith shown in him by TTM’s chairman, Lawrence Mulaudzi.

Despite opportunities in the PSL, he felt his best performances were at TTM, where he was deeply appreciated by the people.

Leaving TTM before they obtained PSL status left him feeling unfortunate, especially considering the lack of belief in his abilities by the Baroka coach.

Struggles at Different Clubs

His time at Baroka wasn’t conducive to his growth as a player.

Loaned out to TS Sporting, he continued to face challenges in finding his form.

However, upon returning to TTM, Amoojee found his stride again, delivering top performances when the team dropped back to the National First Division (NFD) after acquiring Royal AM’s status.

Swallows Setback and Dreams Dashed

Joining Swallows in 2022, Amoojee initially showed promise during the pre-season but faced setbacks during league games, often playing out of position and receiving minimal game time.

His injury during training further hampered his chances, coinciding with the arrival of coach Ernst Middendorp, which ultimately led to a season spent on the sidelines.

His disappointment was palpable, especially considering his dream of playing for Swallows and his father’s support for the team.

Departure from Swallows

His tenure with Swallows ended in July 2023 when the club chose not to extend his contract, marking the conclusion of a challenging period for Amoojee in the elite league.