Nodada remains steadfast in ambition despite injury setbacks
Thabo Nodada remains ambitious as ever before. And that’s why the injury that kept him out in the last few months gave him time to do some introspection, instead of derailing him.
Nodada has been one of the cornerstones of Cape Town City. He was part of the group of players who were with the club when it was launched in 2016.
The 29-year-old has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, with his tenacity, eye for passes and goals, and solid defensive work helping the team to reach greater heights. Nodada helped the Citizens reach four finals and the coveted second-place finish in their eight-year existence. A feat that put him and the club on the map.
So, thanks to thanks exploits, the Ixopo-born midfielder has been tipped to secure greener pastures, with the “the big three” said to be eyeing his services. But that’s yet to materialise.
Nodada is not worried about his future, daring whichever suitor that’s interested in his services to make an offer club chairman John Comitis cannot refuse.
“I don’t think the drive is to move, but to be a high-performing athlete. And that’s that!” said Nodada, on the sidelines of the Carling Knockout launch, in which City were draw against Royal AM for the opening round.
“I have no control over who wants my services, but what I do on the field. I’ve said it timelessly, the person who puts his money where his mouth is, is my boss. It would be very unfair for me to come here and speculate about people who haven’t put the money where their mouth is.”
Precision and power from Thabo Nodada 🚀
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) August 26, 2024
Ahead of tomorrow night’s showdown with Orlando Pirates, let’s rewind to this unforgettable goal from 2019 🔥#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/NnQSXCfVHK
By virtue of being with City since its inception, and having made over 200 appearances, that categorically describes Nodada as a club legend.
As such, he says he wouldn’t mind finishing his career at the club, if push comes to shove, as long as he wins trophies and gets the club into the “big three” category in the land.
“I am at Cape Town City, and that’s where I am a high performer. I look to play my best football there, and make history there,” he said. “Yeah, you could say I didn’t move and that’s that.
“But how many people can you say at the end of their careers started their careers at one place, won trophies at one place and that place is outside of the top three?”
Nodada has won two trophies with the Citizens, the Telkom Knockout (now known as the Carling Knockout) and the MTN8 respectively. And having finished second in the league with the team, Nodada has declared the biggest silverware he wants to win. He believes that’s the biggest honour a player of his calibre deserves.
“I need trophies! I can’t sit in panels and discuss football with league winners if I haven’t won the league,” Nodada explained.
“In terms of ambition, I still want to win stuff. I train to be the best, and at this point in time, Cape Town City, is where I am at. I train to be the best there.”
“I’d like (to win) all the cups. I believe I have the grit, the talent and hard work to compete against anyone in the league. So, if they can get it (the league), why can’t I?”
City’s aspirations to knock Mamelodi Sundowns off their perch for the title this season haven’t got off to an ideal start though – they’ve won one game, drawn one and lost one since the start. And while coach Eric Tinkler made a host of signings in winter, including midfielders Kamohelo Mokotjo and Fortune Makaringe, he had to start the season without Nodada.
Nodada got injured in April. And since then, he’s been on the recovery mill as he’s expected to return to action later this month. He’s vowed to be a different beast when he does.
“It’s part of the journey man. I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t ask to get injured or get kicked – I didn’t wake up injured. I got kicked!” Nodada said of his injury.
“Yeah, it’s part of the journey, you take it as it comes. One thing I’ve learned through injuries is that it's the only time to be still, think of the impact I want to have on the field and player I want to be.
“Coming back now, I will come back as a new person. So, you’ll just have to wait and see who that new person is.”