10 Things You Didn’t Know About Riyaad Norodien.
1. Born in Kensington, Cape Town, Norodien signed with local club Ajax Cape Town as a youngster. He was named Academy Player of the Year in 2012.
2. In May 2015, he traveled with the Ajax Cape Town U19 team to Germany to compete in the Ergenzingen Tournament, where they were eliminated by Mexican side Guadalajara in the semifinals.
3. Norodien, however, was named Player of the Tournament, and caught the attention of various European clubs (including AFC Ajax ).
4. On 4 April 2015, after a lengthy contract dispute, Norodien finally made his first professional appearance when he featured during a 2-1 loss to Platinum Stars.
5. One month later, he scored his first professional goal, a close-range header, against Moroka Swallows.
6. He followed it up by scoring against Orlando Pirates in the next game on 9 May (also the last game of the season).
7. Norodien was selected to represent South Africa at the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Senegal , where the top three teams qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
8. He played in three games (against Senegal , Zambia and Algeria).
9. He was born March 26, 1995.
10. In 2016 he made a move to Soweto giants Orlando Pirates.
By Jimmy Modise
