There is a definite Germany flavour at PSL club Maritzburg United this season. Coached by German Ernst Middendorp, fans are now enjoying the performances of versatile midfielder/defender Denis Weidlich, who hails from the same country.
Middendorp is undoubtedly the most popular individual from Germany to have graced the PSL, having first arrived in South Africa to join Kaizer Chiefs in 2004.
Now he hopes that Weidlich can do a job for him at the Team of Choice. Born in Ghana, the 30-year-old was raised in Germany and has spent most of his career plying his trade in the country's lower leagues.
A powerful play, Weidlich played the first few of his nine Maritzburg appearances in midfield but has since been switched to defence, where he has done admirably.
His early football days were spent in academy side SC Urania in the late 1990s, after which he spent six years in the United Kingdom, first with the London Football Academy and then with capital club Southall.
Among his German teams, includes once Bundesliga outfit Hansa Rostock as recently as 2015, although they have now tumbled to the country's fourth tier, Bundesliga 3.
He joined Maritzburg upon the recommendation of one of Middendorp's German colleagues and the coach is confident he has what it takes to be a success in the PSL. “He is a physical player and is very strong,” he said.
“He can play as a defensive midfielder or a defender, so he will add good value to our squad. “Especially after last season, we needed to bolster the defence and Danso (Weidlich) will do that.”
African News Agency