Serero living dream
SOUTH African soccer sensation Thulani "Simply The Best" Serero has described his Uefa Champions League debut against Real Madrid on Tuesday night as "a dream come true".
Serero took his flourishing career to another level after featuring in the Champions League match for Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam against Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid.
Madrid won the match 3-0 with the PSL player of the season coming on late in the game at the Bernabeu in Madrid.
"It was an emotional experience," Serero said yesterday. "I was not surprised when I was given a run because I have been part of the first team set-up.
"It has been my childhood dream to play in the top league in the world, competing against some of the best players, and I started that route on Tuesday.
"I was not nervous at all. In fact, I felt good and confident when I was instructed to warm up.
"It's not different from playing in the PSL. The only difference is that the level here is very high.
"Soon after taking the field, I felt good because my dream of playing against some of the world's soccer stars in a competition of this stature was realised.
"Last year, when I was watching the Champions League matches on television, little did I know that a few months later I will be actually playing in the Champions League.
"It was so great to play against some of the most expensive players in the world like Kaka, Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo," said Serero who joined the Dutch club from Ajax Cape Town at the beginning of the season.
Serero received calls from family and friends at home to congratulate and encourage him.
"It has been incredible. People back home have been phoning, sending me text messages and others tweeting all-out.
"I appreciate the support from the people back home and my wish is to see more youngsters from South Africa coming to play in Europe, as this will benefit Bafana Bafana a great deal."
Serero was rested on Wednesday and yesterday after he sustained a minor knock against Madrid but is expected to return to training today.
"I hope to be be fine to play in the league game against FC Groningen on Sunday, then fly to South Africa to help Bafana Bafana beat Sierra Leone."