By Lorenz Köhler
His road to success may not have been smooth sailing, but that hasn’t affected Gershin Kock’s love for the ‘beautiful game’.
At the relatively late age of 11 years Gershin Kock began his football career at Ravensmead AFC as a left-winger. After their regular goalkeeper didn’t pitch, Kock took the responsibility of putting on the gloves - and the rest, as they say, is history.
Kock then decided to seek greener pastures in order to take his game to the next level and searched for trials at Vasco Da Gama FC. He immediately made an impression on the coaching staff of the 13A team and flourished as a goalkeeper. Professional displays well beyond his years saw Kock make a name for himself as a reliable shot-stopper. Kock then make his way through the ranks to his first professional contract with the Vasco Da Gama first team at the age of 18.
The Rise of Kock
His club form didn’t go unnoticed and he was called up to play in Solly Luvhengo’s national under-20 side for the prestigious Eight Nation’s Tournament, hosted at Cape Town’s Greenpoint stadium. Kock, one of only two Capetonians in the squad, describes his call-up as a ‘privilege’ and a ‘dream come true’.
His meteoric rise did not stop there as he also had the honour of being named vice-captain in the absence of Siyabonga Zulu and Mbongeni Gumede from Orlando Pirates.
After his mature performances in the Eight Nations Tournament, widespread interest in the eccentric goalkeeper followed but it was Bidvest Wits who won the race for the youngster’s signature after he impressed them during a two-week training camp. However, after alleged contractual disputes between Kock and Vasco, the move to Bidvest hit a snag. According to Kock, a three-year contract is imminent with a loan move back to Cape Town seemingly likely.
Defence, pressure and expectation are always high but Kock plays down the notion: “My philosophy as a goalkeeper is that it’s my duty to keep the team organised and in shape. If I never had work to do, then I know I’ve done a good job. My key to success is to be vocal and to have communication and humility.”
When asked about the struggling national team, Kock added that he feels Bafana Bafana’s recent displays are down to the ‘lack of youth development in our country’ and the ‘problematic age-cheating situation’ that stagnate the careers of our youngsters in the junior sides. But he also feels youngsters need to remain humble and never give up on their dreams: “We have all the talent at our disposal to become a great football(ing) nation.”