Ryan Botha
Ryan Botha
Izimvo has the pleasure of introducing professional footballer and model: Ryan Botha.
Ryan began his professional football career with Finland’s MYPA-47 in 2003 and later went on to sign with Turkish club, Denizlispor, in 2004.
Since returning to South Africa in 2007, Ryan has played for Thanda Royal Zulu FC and today plays for Sowetan giants, Moroka Swallows.
Ryan has represented South Africa at under-23 level and has appeared at the UEFA Cup. He has also won Goal of the Season in the 2008/09 ABSA Premiership.
Website: http://www.ryanbotha.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ryanbotha
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=568080857
MNet All Access Interview: Link
Location: Johannesburg
Ryan was kind enough to answer the following questions:
Personal
Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.
A: Ryan Botha, 29 yrs old, I play football for Moroka Swallows, an interesting fact would be that I played in Europe for 7 years.
Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.
A: haha! Well I’m actually terrified of spiders, no matter how big or small, I kill them on site.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?
A: I enjoy relaxing with my fiancé and baby at home watching DVDs.
Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?
A: I would love to live in Cape Town, I think its one of the most beautiful cities in the world. My dream home there would be a 4 or 5 bedroom place right on the beach, so when you walk off your balcony, you on beach sand.
This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property. Looking for the ultimate in apartment Cape living right on the coast? How about this R9.9m 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in Bantry Bay.
Soccer in South Africa
voted as one of South Africa’s sexiest men
Q: Congratulations on your recent inclusion into the South African squad. Tell us what it would mean to you personally if you were selected for the World Cup squad?
A: Thanks a lot! It’s always been my dream to play in the world cup, would be amazing to do it here on home soil in front of my family and friends. It would really be one of the biggest achievements of my career. I would look back one day and be able to tell my kids that their dad was apart of 2010.
Q: Having been apart of the national squad for a few weeks now, what is the atmosphere like within the squad? Are the players and staff ready for the challenge ahead?
A: Well I’m not with the world cup squad but rather the CHAN tournament team which is being played next year in Sudan. All the boys here know though that if they put in the effort here our chance could come. The world cup buzz is so present in the camp and the think every South African is ready….
Q: You’ve been playing professional soccer from a very young age. Which career milestones are you most proud of?
A: Playing in Europe for seven years was something I will never forget. I got to play in the UEFA cup which was amazing. Playing in the Olympic qualifiers was incredible and scoring 2 goals in the first 4 minutes against Algeria is something I will never forget.
Q: What would you say are the fundamental differences in the game is played here in South Africa compared to the rest of the world? Do you think our style of play is a positive or a negative when looking at the modern game?
A: The biggest differences are that the European game is played very technically and with a lot of discipline meaning not a lot of mistakes are made. Mistakes in Europe and generally punished with a goal. Here in South Africa we play more diski style which is more skill orientated and our mistakes aren’t always punished. I wouldn’t say it’s positive or negative but rather if we could implement the European discipline with the local diski football we would be an international force!
Q: What advice would you offer the young school boy wanting to emulate your career?
A: First thing is to finish school, then decide what you want to study part-time through out your career because you don’t want to be left stranded after your playing years are done with no job. Then work your heart out at training and put the extra work in on your weaknesses.
Q: Which young players have recently caught your eye?
A: I prefer not to mention names as sometimes this goes to the youngsters head and sets him back a couple of years….
Life in South Africa
Ryan bungee jumping from the Orlando Towers
Q: What about life in South Africa did you miss the most while living and playing internationally?
A: I missed the people. South Africans have a unique way of conversing and expressing themselves…
Q: If, with the flick of your fingers, you could improve one thing about South Africa, what would it be?
A: The crime, it is a major issue.
Q: When asked about South Africa and the current crime levels by those internationally, how do you respond?
A: That we a young country in terms of democracy and equality and that due to our past we have many people uneducated and who struggle to find employment. This doesn’t justify the crime rate but unfortunately gives some sort of understanding of the desperation some people experience.
Life in Johannesburg
Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Johannesburg?
A: That there is a large variety of things to do.
Q: Favorite restaurant in or around Johannesburg for dinner with friends?
A: Rocket in Sandton or Capello’s in Bedford Center is enjoyable.
Q: Favorite activities for those rare occasions when you are not training?
A: DVDs at home.
General
Q: Which non-soccer sporting captain do you most admire and why?
A: John Smit…. he is the definition of professionalism and shows what a captain of any sporting team in this country should be like.
Q: Which local and international clubs did you support as a teenager?
A: Liverpool is my favorite team and I have always enjoyed the Chiefs….
Q: One book that you would make required reading for all school-boy soccer players?
Q: Which South African personality would you most want directing you on your car’s GPS device?
A: Leon Schuster. Ha ha!
Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?
A: Nelson Mandela… what he thinks of some of the ANC leaders today destroying all the hard work he put in.
We’d like to thank Ryan for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future. We look forward to seeing him representing South Africa at Africa’s first World Cup.
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