Kaizer Chiefs stalwart Rushwin Dortley has imparted crucial wisdom to promising South African Under-20 defender Tylon Smith, following Smith's exciting transition to Queens Park Rangers in England.
Smith officially embarked on this new chapter last Wednesday, being unveiled by the Championship outfit after finalizing his move from Stellenbosch FC.
His arrival marks a significant moment for South African football, showcasing the talent emerging from its academies.
Smith's exceptional abilities were undeniably on display earlier this year at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was deservedly crowned Player of the Tournament.
Hailing from Stellenbosch, Smith was an indispensable force for Amajita, demonstrating not only a robust defensive acumen but also an uncanny ability to influence games offensively.
His match-winning goal against Nigeria in the semi-final was a prime example of his impact, cementing his reputation as a standout performer on the continental stage.
Dortley, a fellow product of the Western Cape football landscape, emphasized the importance of Smith's authenticity as he navigates the demanding English football scene. Speaking to UKhozi FM, Dortley shared his elation for Smith: “For Tylon, that's amazing to see. You know, sometimes, us footballers, we have dreams only to play in South Africa – Chiefs, Sundowns and Pirates.”
“We only have dreams to play there, but to move abroad and play at a club with that rich history, it’s amazing for him and I wish him all the best.”
His core message to the 20-year-old defender was direct and clear: resist the urge to fundamentally alter his playing style. Dortley's philosophy is that a club invests in a player because of the attributes and skills they've already observed.
‘DON’T CHANGE YOUR STYLE OF PLAY’
“He must keep on doing what he was doing when he was at Stellenbosch. He must just keep on playing because I always say, when a team buys you, they buy you because of what they saw,” Dortley explained.
He reinforced this point, stating, “Don't change your style of play. Keep on playing because that's the reason they signed you. So, keep going and keep on progressing and all the best.”
Furthermore, Dortley utilized Smith's move as an inspiring narrative for aspiring footballers, particularly those based in Cape Town. He highlighted that Smith's journey, alongside his own at Chiefs, Appollis at Pirates, and Jayden Adams at Sundowns, serves as tangible proof that success at the highest levels of the game is within reach.
“There’s a lot of examples for the boys in Cape Town,” he noted, underlining the fact that despite the lack of a professional PSL team in their immediate vicinity, these players are forging paths to elite clubs, both locally and internationally.
