Johannesburg - The sight of a shy and reserved Nazeer Allie doing an interview elicited excitement and taunts from his Bidvest Wits’ teammates during training.
Moeneeb Josephs, who helped Allie settle in Joburg when he moved here from Cape Town last year, had a field day, as did Daine Klate. But Allie kept a straight face despite the distraction. He cracked a tiny smile when Josephs raised his voice from the field.
“Moeneeb made me feel welcome when I arrived here. I am grateful to him,” Allie said.
While Josephs helped him settle into this crazy city, the Wits’ management helped him find a house in a peaceful part of Joburg. Illovo.
“I am not someone who likes being in the papers,” Allie said. “I am a quiet person. I like to be with my family and friends, away from the spotlight. On the field I am the same. I keep it simple. No fancy stuff.”
That simplicity has seen the 31-year-old become one of the most consistent defenders in the country. But no one shouts about it because even he doesn’t like to talk about himself. He is a silent leader who prefers to let his feet do the talking for him.
Gavin Hunt doesn’t mind talking or even showing how important a figure Allie is at Wits. Hunt gave him the Coach’s Award at the club’s end of the season ceremony in May.
“It was a big surprise,” Allie said. “I appreciated it. It shows my work has been noticed.”
Despite being a consistent player, Allie has spent most of his career being overlooked by the senior national team. He has only two Bafana Bafana caps and accepts that just like he has accepted finishing second in the league three times - twice with Ajax Cape Town and then with Wits last season - with a Zen-like response.
“I don’t look at the past. What the man above grants me, I accept. My path is in his hands. Becoming second is up to him. Maybe one day it will change.”
The Wits’ management want the club to change from being second best to champions this season, especially with the strong squad at their disposal. It’s because of that strength that Hunt can replace Josephs, who is serving a two-match suspension, with Darren Keet. Last season when Josephs was suspended, Hunt had to rely on 21-year-old Jethren Barr who was making his professional debut. Three years ago their former goalkeeper coach Andre Arendse had to come out of retirement to man the Wits’ posts after a spate of injuries to their keepers.
With such a strong squad this season, second best isn’t an option. That’s why the club isn’t taking anything for granted going into their second-leg MTN8 semi-final clash against Cape Town City tonight. The Clever Boys carry a 3-0 lead from the first leg. Hunt rested some players, including Allie, in the goalless draw at Polokwane City on Tuesday. Even though Allie is reserved, taking negative results in his stride, underneath that is a competitive soul who fits well into Hunt’s demands of excellence.
“It’s easy for me to be on the same page with him because my attitude is like his, I demand excellence in everything.” Allie said.
Saturday Star