During his early years as a footballer in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), Darren Smith became a journeyman and moved between clubs frequently, playing for the likes of Amazulu, Stellenbosch FC, and SuperSport United. After failing to establish himself in any local side, Smith persevered and earned his opportunity in the Ykkönen (Finland’s second division), where he enjoyed a breakout season, scoring 18 goals in 22 league appearances to win the Golden Boot award, while also being crowned Best Striker of the Season and Player of the Season. In the latest episode of the SL Podcast’s “Player Abroad”, Smith discusses his early career struggles in the PSL and how he managed to earn a move to Finland against all odds. The 24-year-old striker also speaks candidly about how a particular PSL club CEO told him to give up on his football dream and consider a different path, and how his belief in himself and God helped him maintain focus on goal. In the full show, he also discusses his new team FC Honka and the opportunity to play in the Veikkausliiga (Finland’s top division) and the newly-formed UEFA Europa Conference League when he starts his next campaign abroad.

Players Abroad

“I Was Told To Consider A Career Outside Football”- Darren Smith

Former Stellenbosch FC & SuperSport United youth Luke Le Roux has been quietly earning his stripes, earning 23 appearances (and 20 starts) during the 2020 season of Sweden’s top tier, the Allsvenskan. The 20-year-old is back in South Africa due to a work permit issue, but with his side having already secured their top flight status for next year’s campaign, he has his sights set on next year. The central midfielder has dreams of making the South Africa u23 side which will travel to Tokyo for the 2021 Olympics. Having been left out of last year’s preliminary squad for the tournament, he’ll have a second chance due to the postponement of the games which was caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. In the latest episode of the SL Podcast’s “Players Abroad”, Le Roux discusses the 2020 Allsvenskan campaign and the importance of getting game time to earn experience and build his confidence. He also opens up about his ambitions to earn a spot in David Notoane’s South Africa u23 squad when they travel to Tokyo, Japan for this year’s Olympic games. Le Roux also discusses the added benefit of having fellow SA youngsters Tashreeq Matthews and Keanin Ayer with him in the Varberg Bois squad.

One SA youngster’s Tokyo Olympics Dream

SL Podcast — Bantu Mzwakali shares his experiences of life as a footballer in Sweden from the physicality of the league, to be unable to see his family due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bantu Mzwakali On The Physicality Of Swedish Football

Soccer Laduma Radio — Promising midfielder Kgotso Masangane has taken a relatively unconventional journey to European leagues, making the leap from ABC Motsepe League outfit FC Zone Mavo, to unfamiliar territory in the Latvian Higher League with FK Metta. In his first season with the club in 2019, his performances were so impressive that he earned Metta’s Player of the Season Award. Speaking on SL Radio’s Players Abroad podcast, the 22-Year-Old midfielder discussed how while misses home, his next goal would be to join a larger club, stating “For me, a move in Europe, for a bigger team, would be a great move.” Discussing the system at his current team, he praised the coach’s faith in younger talent, continuing, “For FK Metta, the coach loves to introduce young players most of the time. [It’s] his philosophy, he believes in young players not experienced players.”

From ABC Motsepe League To Big European Dreams

Soccer Laduma Radio — South African players have managed to find success in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Finland & Denmark. Examples include Sibusiso Zuma and Josta Dladla. While the football can be quite enjoyable in Northern Europe, the change of scenery, culture & cuisine can be quite jarring for players. This is the case for Ayabulela Konqobe, a former Amazulu star who is having a stellar season for Ekenäs IF in Finland. Speaking on SL Radio’s Players Abroad podcast, the 24-year-old midfielder discussed how he misses South African food; “I can’t eat this man. I think on the third or fourth day of eating Finnish food, I was like ‘Nah, I can’t have this anymore’. I was literally just having buns and cheese and ham the whole time until my friend started cooking because we both couldn’t handle it."

Former Amazulu Star Is Finished With Finnish Food

Soccer Laduma Radio — Former Orlando Pirates & Kaizer Chiefs youth player Mihlali Mayambela has just completed his loan spell with Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C. in Israel and will return to his parent club SC Farense in Portugal. There he will compete for a place in Coach Jorge Paixao's side. The team have just been promoted to the top flight of Portuguese football. Speaking on SL Radio’s Players Abroad podcast, Mayambela revealed some of the struggles he’s experienced in the second half of the season, including his injury and missing home; “The main focus is on the injury, I didn’t heal properly because of the coronavirus, so now I’m trying my best to get the best treatment and get back to playing football.” When asked if there was something his older brother Mark could send to him in Portugal, Mayambela spoke candidly about his family, stating “maybe if he could sneak in my son, so I could see him. My son and himself, that would do me good for the year.”

'Seeing My Son Would Make My Year'

Soccer Laduma Radio — South Africa will be heading to the next Olympic games after beating Ghana to the bronze medal during their AFCON U23 tournament clash at the Cairo International Stadium last year. As the Olympics have since been postponed to 2021, South African youngsters still have the opportunity to challenge for a spot in David Notoane’s team. One such player is Luke Le Roux, a South African midfielder currently playing in Sweden for Varbergs BoIS FC. Le Roux will be fighting for a spot in a talented Amaglug-glug midfield. Speaking to SL Radio on the Players Abroad podcast, Le Roux stated, “Of course it is obviously [a goal] to play for your country, it’s a big honour so you have to work towards something. Also, if you look at the midfielders that are there at the moment in the U23 category, the midfielders there are just phenomenal. You have the likes of Tebza (Teboho Mokoena), you have Sipho Mbule, you have Grant Margeman, it’s just crazy man. So if I miss out, it’s not the end of the world, if my country is there doing well. But if I could get the opportunity, I would grab it with both hands.”

'Our U23 Midfielders Are Just Phenomenal'

Soccer Laduma Radio — In the latest edition of Players Abroad, we look back at previous episodes and give you highlights from various discussions with South African players plying their trade overseas. In this edition, Dino Ndlovu opens up about life in China and how he feels he is reaching his peak, Pule Ekstein lets us know what he misses most about South Africa and Lebo Moloto discusses his extended stay and family life in the USA.

'Players Abroad Highlights: How SA Players Handle The Culture Clash (Ft. Pule Ekstein & Dino Ndlovu)'

Soccer Laduma Radio — In the latest edition of Players Abroad, Jaisen Clifford opens up about his journey from SuperSport United’s Reserve Team to gaining promotion in Portugal. He also reveals details about his time in Malta & Lithuania and the difficulties he faced there. He then reveals his ambitions for the future and whether he’ll eventually return to the PSL.

Former SuperSport United Youth Player Jaisen Clifford Opens Up His Journey To Portugal

Soccer Laduma Radio — In the latest edition of Players Abroad, Mihlali Mayambela reveals details about his rise through Kaizer Chiefs’ & Orlando Pirates’ youth ranks. He also discusses what he misses most about South Africa, who he gets compared to abroad and SC Farense's hunt for promotion in Portugal's LigaPro.

Former Chiefs Youth Player Mihlali Mayambela Is Hunting Promotion in Portugal

Soccer Laduma Radio — In the latest edition of Players Abroad, OH Leuven & Bafana Bafana Goalkeeper Darren Keet discusses life in Belgium. He discusses meeting fellow South Africans overseas and what he misses most about South Africa. He also dishes on how his family reacted to the news of his transfer abroad.

Bafana International Darren Keet Talks Life In Belgium

Soccer Laduma Radio — In the latest edition of Players Abroad, Dino Ndlovu reveals what he misses most about South Africa, and his answer will surprise you. He also reveals the differences between China & South Africa and reflects on the past season. He also discusses why he is ready to play abroad for the rest of his career.

Dino Ndlovu - 'I’m More Appreciated In China'

Soccer Laduma Radio — Azerbaijan-based Midfielder Hendrick “Pule” Ekstein shares details on life abroad in the second edition of Players Abroad. The Sabah FK star discusses what he misses most about South Africa, the difference in culture between the two countries and the South African dish he misses the most.

Pule Ekstein - 'The Azerbaijan League Is Quicker Than The PSL'

Soccer Laduma Radio — USA-based Midfielder Lebo Moloto shares details on life in the States in the first edition of Players Abroad. The Nashville SC star discusses what he misses most about South Africa, the difference in culture between the two countries and what his favourite dish in Nashville is. He also gives the lowdown on his Charity Tournament for youngsters in his hometown in Limpopo.

Life in the USA with Lebo Moloto

Players Abroad is the Soccer Laduma Radio show where we connect you with the South African footballers playing in foreign leagues.

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Players Abroad

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