Tebogo Langerman: The Long Obedience
In just a few short weeks, Tebogo Langerman, who’s collected several trophies on offer in SA football, would have spent an incredible eight years at Mamelodi Sundowns – only captain Hlompho Kekana has been at Chloorkop longer.
Behind the quiet demeanour is a player with a mountain of accolades: five Absa Premiership titles (including one at SuperSport United), a CAF Champions League and Super Cup winners’ medal as well as the Telkom Knockout, twice.
That should easily parachute ‘Langa’ as among the list of highly decorated players in the country as the left back is still on his horse down the flanks even today.
Langerman turned 34 earlier this month and his career goes as far back as the 2008/09 season when he joined Bidvest Wits to begin his topflight career.
As a testament to his potential and quality, the defender never missed a league game under then coach Roger de Sa. No surprises then to see him scooped up by SuperSport after just six months, with Gavin Hunt making him part of a core team to challenge for another championship, which duly arrived in Langerman’s first year.
Having made more than 50 appearances and chipping in with the odd goal – seven in total – ‘Langa’ crossed the floor to join Masandawana, and it is a Chloorkop where his stock would rise even further and put him on the Bafana Bafana radar.
Along with skipper Kekana and coach Pitso Mosimane, the veteran player knows everything about every corner at our headquarters. He knows the ins and outs.
Langerman has travelled the length and breadth of the continent, too. Japan, he’s been there. Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, the DRC and Nigeria – been there and done that.
It’s not easy to be consistent at such a high level for so many years. His career total of more than 400 matches, with at least 300 of those coming while Langerman has been in a Sundowns shirt, is more than enough evidence.
He embodies consistency and is a proof that the long obedience in the same direction has its perks and rewards.
