A Perfect 10

What’s a perfect number? Ask any mathematician and you’re sure to get numbers like 6 and 28, because in their nature they are “positive integers that are equal to the sum of their proper divisors”. However, if you were to pose the exact same question to a football fan, you’re sure to get a completely different answer. A perfect number to a football loving person would, without a doubt, be a 10.

The jersey number 10 must be the most revered jersey in it the world, with prolific players like Ephraim “Jomo” Sono, Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha, Patrick M‘Boma and Ronaldinho to name but a few confident enough to don it. Because of the long history of this jersey, one is immediately elevated to legendary status upon bearing the weight of the number on their shoulders and wearing it on their back.

If we are to bring this closer to home and pose the very same question to local fans, I can guarantee you that the name Roger Feutmba is sure to enter the conversation through the voices of many among us. A perfect 10 with a perfect foot. A lefty like no other ever witnessed in the history of Premier Soccer League.

Now where was this 10 discovered? And who was responsible for getting him a plane ticket to JHB International airport(Now OR Tambo Int. airport)? These are questions we ought to ask so that we can formally draft a thank you note to that person. The date is 3rd of December 1994. South Africa Vs Cameroon, Simba Cup. At the time everybody’s eyes were glued to one Roger Milla. Everybody with the exception of one Natasha Tshiclas. Her imagination was captured by KV Kortrijk FC’s midfielder. True to her nickname “Iron Lady”, she had to strike while the iron was hot. At halftime she left the presidential suite and met up with the midfield par-excellence before he could make his way to the change-room. She planted a seed proposing a move to Mamelodi Sundowns(at the time the team used only the Sundowns name) for the player and, as the saying goes, the rest is history.

1996 is the year the maestro formally made his move to the PSL. Because of his 'colossus' stature, a lot of his teammates initially doubted his footballing abilities, with one Themba Mguni asking if he wasn't a bouncer? It only took one training session to convince them otherwise. True to his potential, he would go on to carry the number 10 Jersey, propelling the team to becoming the most successful club in the history of the league(to date a record they have managed to retain). His left foot left everyone so mesmerised he earned the title of “The General” (Highest Military Rank). He constantly left his teammates bemused by the things he could do with the ‘pig’s skin’ during training. Daniel “Mambush” Mudau will only be eager to let you know that his coach, Ted Dumitru, once called off a session only 10 minutes in. According to him, they were carrying out a rondo with Joas Magolego and Lovers Mohlala, the tallest guys in the squad, positioned in the middle to mark. The ball landed at Roger’s feet. He waited for the 2 to get as close to him as possible, making it impossible to pass the ball to either of the players on each side. When everyone thought he was cornered, he looped the ball over both of their heads and it landed exactly on Fire Masilela’s chest, who at time was directly opposite to him. With everyone shocked at what they had just witnessed, the coach blew his whistle 3 times and told the lads to pack up as the day’s objective had been achieved.

This maestro was not only a phenomenon during practice, with opponents dreading the notion of going head to head with him in an official duel. He went on to garner the respect of everyone in the league. Testament to this would be an image of the most successful player in the history of South African soccer, Theophilus Doctor Khumalo(owner of the retired jersey number 15), wearing The General’s jersey while lifting the trophy in a cup final they had just played against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The player’s admiration of him was made official when he won the PSL’s Player’s player of the season; which any player when asked will tell you is the award they respect the most because it means you have the respect of everyone you go against.

The General would go on to win the league title 3 times in a row in his time and with the team and to date there are calls for him to be inducted in the inaugural PSL hall of fame list. Many have tried, some have come close, but none could match the brilliance of Roger Feutmba… a perfect 10.

Image Credit: Soccer Laduma