Jody February earns praise after penalty-shootout heroics for Siwelele

Jody February’s resilience has been rewarded with an immediate impact at Siwelele FC after the goalkeeper helped his loan club reach the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals.

February joined Siwelele shortly before the transfer window closed, having slipped further down the hierarchy at Mamelodi Sundowns following the return of Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ricardo Goss.

The 30-year-old did not make a single appearance for Sundowns last season and faced limited prospects of regular first-team football. A temporary move to Siwelele offered him the opportunity to play consistently, and he has taken it.

February saved two penalties in the shootout as Siwelele defeated Polokwane City in the last 16 of the Carling Knockout Cup in the north over the weekend.

Since he made his debut, Siwelele have gone three matches without defeat, recording two wins and a draw, including the shootout victory. Before February’s arrival, the club had not won a match.

His loan agreement does not include an option for Siwelele to make the move permanent, although the club could try to retain him for another season if he continues to perform well.

“There is no option to buy, no,” his agent Mike Makaab said.

“But if ever someone deserves a break, it’s Jody February. Jody has been with me since he was a teenager. There are few players that I have worked with that have dedicated and committed through difficult times than Jody February. He is the most incredible person.”

Makaab said he was deeply moved by February’s performance in the shootout and recalled the high expectations that surrounded the goalkeeper earlier in his career.

“When I watched the penalty shootout, I almost burst into tears,” he said. “I watched the game and he was outstanding.

“At Ajax Cape Town, he was touted as the next top goalkeeper in the country and things just didn’t work out. But let me tell you; he’s an incredibly good goalkeeper. He is only 30 years old.

“Jody looks after himself. He has not played in a while and he comes in and plays with that confidence. What does that tell you about the guy?”

February’s immediate priority will be to make the most of his time at Siwelele by playing as regularly as possible. His performances in goal will determine whether he can maintain his place and strengthen the case for an extended stay.