CAPE TOWN - Roland Putsche is the throbbing heartbeat that makes Cape Town City tick.
The new Mother City PSL club’s success in its debut season has been founded on a magnificent team ethic and the superb individual ability of captain Lebogang Manyama, but grinding away in midfield, and getting through all the dirty work, is the industrious, aggressive presence of 25-year-old Austrian Putsche.
City take on neighbours Ajax Cape Town in the Cape derby at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night (kick-off 7.30pm) - and, more than likely, it’s in the key central midfield area that will determine the eventual winner. And it’s here where Putsche flourishes - his willingness to get stuck into the physical challenges, his awareness of space and danger, and his all-round game intelligence make him such a vital cog in the way City operate.
The affable midfielder had played in the Austrian Bundesliga for Wolfsberger AC, but took himself off to Cape Town when his contract expired. He wanted to explore other things, live in a new country, and learn more about himself as a person. His main project on arriving in the Mother City was to make a contribution to the Bafana Soccer Academy in Somerset West.
At the same time, of course, he wanted to play a bit of footy. When he heard, in June last year, that City were being established as a new team, he thought he’d open himself up to the opportunity.
Needless to say, when he arrived to train with City, both club boss John Comitis and coach Eric Tinkler were blown away by the player’s technical ability and game nous. They jumped at the chance to sign a footballer who had Europa League experience - and Putsche has been one of the star performers in the PSL.
“Look, there is always room for improvement, but I have to say that I am happy with my game so far,” said Putsche. “Everything is fine by my side. I think when your confidence grows it shows in how you play. The club has made it easier because I feel good to be here, and to be in a such a beautiful city. I have a good relationship with my teammates, the coaches are good and I enjoy the training sessions.
“Initially I struggled. In Austria, football is all about a team’s shape and tactics. In the PSL, the pace is higher and the individual skill and technique of the players are better. But I am now used to it.”
As for Ajax, Putsche has no doubt that it will be another tough outing for City:
“Derbies are like no other games, there is a special feeling to it, especially because there is a lot more emotion involved. It’ll be a big occasion, but we are looking to win. Ajax are a good team and we know it won’t be easy. They may have lost to Wits in the week, but they’ll be much better, and we must not be complacent.”
Putsche is disappointed at not being able to spend too much time now at the Bafana Academy, because of his City commitments. But, when he does go, he is overjoyed at the response. “I haven’t been going enough, but I will soon find time in my schedule. I enjoy my time with the kids whenever I go, and they really appreciate it when I’m there. To be honest, I don’t know who profits more, me or the kids?”
As for the rest of the season, Putsche said City faced difficult challenges. “Nobody expected what we would achieve in such a short space of time. It surprised many people, but it will be tougher for us now. The clubs know more about us now and we’ll have to be prepared.”
PSL fixtures:
Saturday: Mamelodi Sundowns v Orlando Pirates; Golden Arrows v Bloemfontein Celtic; Ajax Cape Town v Cape Town City (Cape Town Stadium, 8.15pm); Maritzburg Utd v Kaizer Chiefs
Sunday: Highlands Park v Polokwane City