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Salie taking his chance

Cape Town - Tawfeeq Salie is enjoying a breakthrough season at Maritzburg United. 

Having worked under Ernst Middendorp, Steve Komphela and Mandla Ncikazi the 24-year-old is finally getting a run in the first team under new coach Clive Barker. 

And he's talking his chance. 

Salie has been in good form for the Team of Choice - his latest an impressive display at home to Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend when a string of fine saves kept his side ahead for most of the match before a 97th minute strike saw the spoils shared. 

"I’m very pleased to get an opportunity to play. I waited long for it and finally it has come … I’m ready to take it with both hands," he said.

Salie is currently keeping Namibian number one Virgil Vries out of the starting line-up, and before this season he was also behind Shu-Aib Walters in the pecking order. But all that while Salie was learning from his more experienced colleagues.

“I’ve learnt a lot of things. Dealing with off the field problems, on the field … mentally you have to stay strong," he said.

"Those guys have been around for a long time and they’ve always motivated me to do well … to keep pushing."

And, like any young player, Salie has goals ... the first of which is to help ensure that Maritzburg are playing top-flight football next season.

"The first goal I’ve set myself is to try and help the club get out of where they are at the moment. And then to play a few more games … and one of my dreams and goals is to go and play in Europe," he said.

Maritzburg are currently bottom of the PSL log with one victory from 11 matches.

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