By Kamlesh Gosai
It is Spring in Finland and Durban-born footballer Ryan Botha's professional career is set to bloom in the colours of Finnish premier division side MyPa.
The former Stella, SuperSport United and Wits University striker got a taste of first team action when MyPa opened their season two weeks ago with a 2-0 league win over KuPS. Although he only played as a substitute in the dying minutes of the match, breaking into the first team squad was an achievement in itself for the 21-year-old. For the first two seasons of his professional career Botha was virtually inactive with United and Wits in the domestic scene.
It was not that he lacked talent. Far from it. He in fact earned a call-up to the national Under-20 training camp in 1998 when he was still only 17. His short and rapid rise from first division to premier division football in Finland suggests that Botha only needed a positional switch to midfield to kick-start his career.
Finnish First Division side Tervarit saw his potential during a friendly tournament in Italy last year and after three months Premier Division side MyPa approached with the offer of a two-year contract.
Although a touch of the flu limited Botha to the bench in their next two matches he is once again enjoying his football and life in a foreign country.
"I'm playing really well and I know my chance will come soon. The coach Juha Malinen has told me that this first season will be basically to ease me into the league, so I guess I've got to be patient," said Botha who scored two goals during MyPa's pre-season tour of the USA.
He benefited from playing in the lower division but must now adjust to the demands of the elite division.
"There are a few differences from the first and second divisions. First division is a lot quicker, more physical, has better players, and is a more technical game. I'm beginning to fit in well."