In this latest edition of My First, former Moroka Swallows and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Jorge Fernandes shares his first experiences in life with KickOff.
My First School:
"I attended Kensington Primary School in Johannesburg. I don't clearly remember my first day, but I must have been nervous since I couldn't speak English back then [laughs]. I only spoke Portuguese."
My First Child:
"I have one son, Thiago, who was born 12 years ago. I remember it like it was yesterday. He was born in 2013, and he’s like a superstar to me. I was already 43 when he was born, and I've never worried about having only one child."
My First Red Card:
"My first red card at the professional level was against Cape Town Spurs. Both Mark Buyrne and I were sent off. It was my second game for Witbank Aces. I stood on his toe, he hit me from behind, and the referee sent us both off [laughs]."
My First Own Goal:
"I don't think I have ever scored an own goal."
My First Goal:
"I scored my first goal at the amateur level while playing for an under-14 team. We won 4-1, and I dribbled from my own half, getting past everyone including the goalkeeper."
My First Individual Award:
"I joined Wits as a professional at 16 years old, and that year I won Save of the Month. I made a save from Orlando Pirates' Tebogo Moloi's shot back in 1987."
My First Trophy with a Club:
"It was at Sundowns, and that year we won everything. I think my first trophy was either the BP Top 8 or the JPS Knockout; it's one of those two cups."
My First Professional Match:
"I played my first professional match at Wits, where we beat Moroka Swallows 1-0. That was in 1987."
My First Car:
"My first car was a Fiat Uno Turbo. I got it while I was at Sundowns, and all my teammates drove BMWs [laughs]. They teased me for driving the smallest car at the club. But I was only 19 at the time, and I paid R27,000 for it."
