CT City coach provides mixed review of Lakay

Cape Town City coach Jan Olde Riekerink has sung the praises of young forward Fagrie Lakay, but admits the former Bafana Bafana forward is struggling to make an impact at the Absa Premiership club.

Lakay, the youngest ever Bafana player when he debuted at the age of 17, has had a journeyman career to date and joined City this season, making 10 appearances in all, mostly off the bench.

Olde Riekerink says he likes what he sees from the 22-year-old, but suggested he needed to mature in certain aspects of his game.

“He is one of the most talented players I have seen,” Olde Riekerink said. “But he is a young guy and it is also about how you use the talent and I have feeling at this moment, you can not only play on your talent [alone], you need to be a team player and play to your tasks.

“I know he is struggling, but he is doing his best in every way and I think if I had to bring him in now, he would be ready. I know he really tries, he really wants [to play].”

Lakay made his professional debut at Santos in the 2012/13 season, when he was just 15, and has since gone on to feature for SuperSport United, Ajax Cape Town and BidVest Wits, without ever really being able to nail down a first team spot.