Andre de Jong (Stellenbosch FC | South Africa)

EUROPEAN TEAMS TRACKING Andre de Jong

https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/soccer-la...

from South Africa's biggest Football publication. It says a number of European teams are tracking him. It doesn't mention which team or from which country but says if it wasn't for his injury he would have been signed. 

My guess it's most likely a Scandinavian team.  Will be surprised if it's from Belguim or Netherlands as he hasn't scored any goals (fussy). FYI (because of his age) If he scores at least 8 goals in the first half of the PSL season, teams from Ligue 1, Eredivisie and Jupiler Pro come sniffing around. 

53 mins in a 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates

Same score when he came off.

Amazulu vs Orlando Pirates

Shocking decision from the linesman and ref on the Pirates penalty. Andre has to do better on that great chance when the pirates keeper miss handles the ball. Amazulu have brought in a few players to compete for his position. There is going to be a lot of pressure on him to score this year. 

Unused sub in a 1-0 win at TP Galaxy.

Bevan not in match day squad for Galaxy.

Unused sub in a 2-0 win over Black Leopards.

SA players more athletic, says AmaZulu’s Kiwi Andre de Jong

https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/sa-players-...

Great read. Happy that he is settled. He desperately needs a goal. 

I've visited Natal twice.

One time heard a gunshot, and looked down from my Durban hostel balcony to see a white guy swearing and trying to reload his revolver.  Ran to other corner of the balcony, to see a black guy running between cars on a 3 lane road. He wasn't hanging around. He'd obviously wronged the white guy somehow.

Same hostel a few years later, French guy came into my dorm at night all shaken as he'd seen a girl lying in a pool of blood, and being attended to. She'd been stabbed taking cash out from an ATM. 

Stay safe in Durbs Andre.

I think pick another hostel next time (if there is going to be a next time)

Where you have high income inequality, you have violence. South Africa is at the top of that inequality list. Most of South America and India have the same violence problem. 85% of all violent crimes in South Africa is commited in the "townships". 80% of murders are commited by people known to the victim. Andre should watch out for the guy he is putting out the squad lol (sorry dark joke)

When the South African government banned the sale of alcohol during the coronavirus lockdown, violent crime dropped to nearly 80% in the country. Clearly have a massive problem there and an opportunity to reduce violent crime.

As Jeremy Brockie said, the country is safe when you know were not to go. Andre is probably living in Durban's northern suburbs like Umhlanga. His safe.

No real plans to visit again, though crime aside is a beautiful country.

For sure De Jong will be at Umhlanga Rocks or similar gated community. But you can never be completely safe there. Every South African expat you meet either has a trail of a nasty crime they have personally been subject to, or knows someone who has.

Benni McCarthy was sitting in a Joburg barber chair, and had his watch taken off him at gunpoint. Not the smartest to wear your flashy Rolex or whatever out and about, but certainly sports stars are not immune to being targets - though unlike McCarthy imagine Andre won't have a huge profile over there.

You can never be really safe anywhere in the world. Well maybe in Aotearoa lol. Not safe to be a footballer in the UK either. Ask Dele Alli, Ian Wright, Mesut Ozil, Mamadou Sakho, Sead Kolašinac, Phil Jagielka, Vince Grella, Roque Santa Cruz etc, etc.....You cannot wear a good watch in London anymore. And the UK has an average unemployment rate of 5% a year. South Africa is at 25% a year. At least we don't kill our footballer for making a mistake (RIP Andres Escobar)

It's obvious that South African expats leave for a safe, financially rewarding life for themselves and their families. And countries like New Zealand are wishing more will make the move. We well educated and super entrepreneurial. You will not believe the list of international companies owned by South Africans. South Africans don't deserve our terrible history and incompetent governments.

The good news for New Zealand footballers is that SA, unlike most places in the world are willing to give NZ footballers a chance at life playing competitive football. If you good enough you get a 2 or 3 years contract, not 1 year with an option garbage. Not everybody has the talent of a Sarpreet Singh. SA top league is a tough, stable and financially rewarding competition that has survived the horrors of Apartheid and now coronavirus. SA and NZ have history and I now the SA football fraternity are happy to see more NZ talent given the opportunity. You will be amazed at how popular Andre and Dan are in the townships. Here's to many more....

mmmmm, I would beg to diifer, one could say, the fact you are so entrepreneurial is a direct result of your terrible history

One could say yes, but like everything else in humankind there is another side to that coin. NZ is far away from the rest of the world. There are negatives and positives to that. SA is not all negative although yes, the negatives, like most countries with large income inequalities has large negatives.

You must also realise that inequality is increasing around the world including NZ. Not everybody is happy with the crazy property market and lower wages that are not increasing fast enough. On the other side the older homeowners are laughing. Other side of the coin.

Not in match day squad as AmaZulu (12th) lose 4-3 at Mamelodi Sundowns (1st)

Andre’s teammate Anele Ngcongca (53 caps for South Africa, spent 10 years at Genk) has tragically passed away in a traffic collision. Tough to imagine the kind of impact this would have on a team

He was driving to join Amazulu on loan from Sundowns. Jeremy Brockie former teammate was a former Bafana captain and a Genk legend. Nominated in Genk team of the decade he played with Kevin de Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois in a great Genk squad.  

What really is crazy is that he actually signed for KSV Roeselare  (Belgium Proximus League team) at the beginning of the season. He believed he had a verbal agreement to leave the club (Sundowns) on a free after a tough previous season being on the bench (due to injury and the coach preferring younger players). He had a 1 year option left on his contract and Sundowns wanted a transfer fee if he was moving to Europe. So instead of leaving for Europe he was loaned to Amazulu. He died on the way there. Football can be so cruel sometimes.

The country is in complete shock at this death. Footballers and fast cars is an epidemic in South Africa. Last week SA lost junior international James McFarlane to a car accident and now this. Attitudes have to change. RIP Anele  

After likely a tough week at AmaZulu (9th) they draw 1-1 with Cape Town City (6th) in PSL.

De Jong an unused sub. Played last 20 mins with 10 men.

Not in match day squad for a 1-1 draw at TTM (9th).

AmaZulu 10th.

Not in match day squad for a 0-2 loss to Golden Arrows (6th)

Presumably injured

AmaZulu 12th

Unused sub in a 3-1 win over Chippa United (14th)

AmaZulu 8th

Not in match day squad as AmaZulu (9th) draw 1-1 at Bloemfontein Celtic (10th).

Either injured or on the outer. No playing mins since October last year, and after that in & out of match day squads.

The new Amazulu owner has recruited more experienced and quality footballers. Andre position has been given to Memela, who is currently near the top of the goal scoring charts. 

Benni McCarthy will give Andre playing time but not a lot. Should he consider a loan move for more game time?

Didn't you say a month or two back De Jong had interest from some Euro clubs?

And yes do enjoy your nuggets on the scene there in Suid Afrika.

Wonder who will end up there next from the Handy Prem. Logan Rogerson maybe.

Yes that's right. According to Soccerladuma (Which publishes a weekly newspaper every Wednesday) Andre was been monitored by a European club. The article didn't mention the club or the country of origin. According to officials at the club Andre injury prevented the move.

That was last season. There is a new owner and new coach. He has to play and play regularly for that Euro move. He also need to score and add to his assist numbers.

Thanks. However is the top goalscorer in the Handa Premiership will make the next move.

A generic response of a PSL club just signing the Handy Prem's top goal scorer, aka Bevan?

Or specifically about Derek Tikeu being looked at by someone?

Actually saw this up on the twitter feed for Coach Sunz. He's obviously a AmaZulu fan and/or Benni McCarthy fan. Small glimpse of De Jong in the video.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1341020010773397504

Coach Sunz is an expat South African fitness trainer based on the North Shore I think. 

Works with a lot of Kiwi footballers who return to NZ over the summer. Like Max Mata, Boxall brothers etc. Works them hard it looks like. 

Also trains Eastern Suburbs it seems, maybe even the AWs when they are in NZ (a very part time gig!)

I will be very surprised if Derek Tikeu is signed by PSL club. At 26 (February) and no experience at high level (apologies to Wanderers Fans) football it would be a big surprise. But what the hell do I know. 

I suppose what every professional club is looking for is a player preferably 24yrs and younger and in the national or olympic team. Striker/attacking midfielder with lots of goals,central defender (6ft and above) or anybody with a good left leg. Most importantly he must come cheap lol

 We really proud of Coach Sunz accomplishments. 

Not in match day squad in a 0-1 home loss to Kaizer Chiefs (10th)

AmaZulu 9th

Not in match day squad as AmaZulu (10th) draw 1-1 at SuperSport (3rd)

Benni McCarthy admits players face axe

Andre de Jong faces axe

This is not good news for Andre. How much will the injury (broken foot) last season against the Lithuanians cost him?

Andre is currently taking up one of five international spots at Amazulu and this season he hasn't really established himself in the first team squad. Like every new coach, Benni McCarthy comes in with fresh eyes and a new broom. 

No surprises it seems as not in match day squad as AmaZulu (8th) win 2-0 at Baroka (10th).

Another who could be back in NZ soon? Which means I guess he has to sign for ACFC.

Though another PSL might pick him up. Morgan's Maritzburg are struggling for goals.

Not in match day squad as AmaZulu (7th) beat Stellenbosch (10th) by 2-1.

Tough time for De Jong, he's barely played since breaking his foot for AWs in Nov 2019. On the outer at his club, in a country being ravaged by Covid.

Hopefully he can find a new club soon.

Not in match day squad as AmaZulu (7th) beat Bloem Celtic (12th) 4-3. 

94th min winner.

AmaZulu have been a form side since Benni McCarthy took over. Last 5 games 3W & 2D

De Jong's days at the club do look numbered.

Not in match day squad as AmaZulu beat fellow PSL side Golden Arrows on pens, to progress in a Cup game.

1-1 after NT/ET.

Not in match day squad as AmaZulu (7th) draw 0-0 with Moroka Swallows (3rd).

Not in match day squad as AmaZulu (6th) win 2-1 away at Kaizer Chiefs (9th).

Black Leopards (15th) with a 1-0 win over AmaZulu (6th), in a Cup game.

No De Jong.

Surely time for him to come back to NZ or to try lower leagues in holland etc. 

A shame, he looked to be doing well before his injury, but hasn't featured since.

he hasn't been playing because he is injured - just had a surgery for that injury as well.

he hasn't been playing because he is injured - just had a surgery for that injury as well.

Did he have the surgery in SA? heard from a mate that hospitals are scary places there due to the COVID in them. Hope he gets sorted properly.