 |
| Keagan Dolly is aiming to do more and says that he needs no rest. (Picture: Backpagepix) |
There might be a number of people calling for Sundowns midfielder Keagan Dolly to be given a rest, but the Under-23 international says he doesn’t want a break.
Dolly has soldiered on, excelling for both club and country in the Olympics bound national Under-23 team he captains and recently Bafana Bafana.
He will continue his hectic travelling when he returns from Cairo where he helped Sundowns beat Zamalek 2-1 and put one foot in the CAF Champions League knockout stage.
Dolly will link up with the Under-23s, who are preparing to travel to Brazil for the Olympics.
“There is still much more to do although we qualified for the Olympics,” Dolly told Vodacom Soccer. “There is always something more. We can’t just say that we want to stop there.
“We want to go to the tournament not to just take part and say that we were there. We want to represent South Africa well and show that our football is growing.
“I have always told the boys that once we qualify for the Olympics, doors and opportunities will be open for us. It is up to us to make the most of it.”
The Under-23 players have made the most of their chances, winning the Cosafa Cup in Namibia without their captain Dolly, who was doing duty with Sundowns. The midfielder admits that juggling these two roles has helped him grow.
“I was a bit sad that I couldn’t be a part of the whole experience,” Dolly added. “But I think that the boys did well. They showed character. It was a team effort.
“I felt really good for the boys. I know that there was a lot to take from the tournament. Juggling the national teams and my club has strengthened me mentally, especially playing in the continent.
“When I played my first game for Bafana Bafana, against Sudan, I was nervous and couldn’t handle the pressure. All these games that I have played in the continent with Sundowns have helped me to overcome that.
“You could see in the game against Gambia that I enjoyed myself. That’s why I am also able to do well in the national team.”