Morris excited to go up against Neymar

Tashreeq Morris of Ajax Cape Town during the Absa Premiership 2015/16 game between Ajax Cape Town and Bidvest Wits at Cape Town Stadium on 21 May 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Tashreeq Morris of Ajax Cape Town during the Absa Premiership 2015/16 game between Ajax Cape Town and Bidvest Wits at Cape Town Stadium on 21 May 2016 ©Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Published Jul 19, 2016

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Cape Town - Tashreeq Morris is reaping the rewards of patience, diligence and good old-fashioned hard work.

The 22-year-old Ajax Cape Town attacker last week got his long-desired call-up to the South African Under-23 squad - and he is now looking forward to participating at the Rio Olympics next month.

It’s his first opportunity with the U23s, but he definitely won’t feel out of place. He will have two Ajax teammates in the squad to assist - Rivaldo Coetzee and Jody February - as well as a former teammate in Abbubaker Mobara (who signed for Orlando Pirates last month).

In fact, Mobara and Morris are very close friends - both are from Mitchells Plain - and the duo, as juniors, entered the Ajax youth academy at the same time.But Morris’ journey to grab a place on the plane to Brazil was paved with adversity.

Through all of it, however, the humility of his character, and the industry and determination in his heart, kept him going. Morris came through the much-touted Ajax youth academy to seal a spot in the Cape club’s PSL squad.

Since the appointment of Roger de Sa as Ajax coach, the bustling forward has made sensational progress.But, just when it seemed that he had arrived, and his career would take off, tragedy struck.

He was seriously injured in last year’s Nedbank Cup final, which the Capetonians lost on penalties to Mamelodi Sundowns. He was out for several months and only returned towards the latter end of last season.

“The injury was a really tough and frustrating part of my career,” said Morris. “And it’s in getting over that and to now be back playing again that makes the U23 call-up so good for me. It’s an indication that my hard work has been recognised by the selectors.”

Motivated and inspired after the lengthy injury, Morris was soon back to his best. He remains the first name De Sa pencils in on the team sheet, that’s how highly the coach rates the player.

He’s the perfect team man, he never stops running and trying. He can play as a striker, but is more effective out wide, where he can use his pace and aggression.

He’s good in the air, good on the ground and good in the box. But, importantly, he’s not just a runner, he’s an intelligent footballer, quick to sum up a situation.

If there’s a criticism of his game, it’s probably that he doesn’t score too many. He certainly gets into the positions, but sometimes his finishing lets him down.

But, at 22, he’ll only get better - and the football tournament at the Olympics provides the perfect platform for Morris to shine.In April this year, the lad from Mitchells Plain had a training stint with Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

He harbours ambitions to play overseas, and a good showing in Brazil next month could just be the shop window he needs.

“Going to the Olympics is a big thing for me,” said Morris. “It’s something many people dream of, and to be able to have an opportunity to play in such an auspicious event makes me very proud.

“We’ve got Brazil in the opening match and that is something else I’m looking forward to. It’s exciting times… Brazil have one of the best players in the world in their squad (Neymar) and we will be up against him… I’m honoured, I’m excited.”

Morris is confident the U23s will perform at the Rio Olympics.

“Our chances are good,” he said.“I think the U23s have a very good squad for the tournament. There are great players in the team and, for me, it’s just an honour to be included in the squad.”

While Morris is fully focused on the Games, he also knows that, on his return from Rio, it will be time for a really interesting PSL season, especially with the Mother City having another top-flight team in the form of Cape Town City.

“At Ajax, we’ve now been training for about two weeks and, from what I’ve seen, the players are looking really sharp. It’s looking good and I can assure you that we will do much better than last season,” Morris said.

Cape Argus

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