Hadebe praised for stellar performance in FC Cincinnati win over New York City
US-based Warriors defender Teenage Hadebe is slowly fitting in well at his new FC Cincinnati base, two months after joining them on a free transfer.
This comes after the Zimbabwean international defender was highly praised on the club’s website by the Cincinnatti staff writer Carter Chapley.
Chapley believes Hadebe who started playing as a substitute but has now become a regular for Cincy, played his best game on Tuesday night when they defeated New York City 1-0 at home in the first leg of the MSL Cup playoffs.
Chapley is convinced the former Kaizer Chiefs defender who promised to up his game once he gets used to his teammates and adjust to the team’s type of play, is now ‘walking the talk’.
This is after Hadebe admitted to Chapley that “I looked lost” during one of Cincy’s games that he played the first half only before being subbed off.
“But now I think I’m learning a lot from the guys, and I’m starting to adjust to our style of play…I think I’ve been improving each and every game.
“I think now we are starting to understand each other,” Hadebe continued, referring to his teammates in Robinson, Awaziem and Ian Murphy.
“You can see how hard they work, how we are giving in the match. We always cover each other, but I think by now, we’re forming a good partnership.
“We always tell ourselves in training that we want to be one of the best defenders in MLS, and we try to keep clean sheets as much as you can.”
Writing in his post match review after Tuesday’s encounter, Chapley said: “The Zimbabwe international’s performance stood out as it was (as promised before), in as objective a way as you can evaluate it, his best performance in a River Kit (or Canvas Kit for that matter).
“Which now comes after his formerly best performance in the Decision Day victory. Two data points can not mathematically create a trend, but the progress is undeniably encouraging.
“His performance also sparked the kind of intensity and drive a playoff game needed. With every tackle he gave a fistbump to fire himself up.
“When a teammate would make a good play he was the first to give a cry of encouragement. Hadebe brought the playoff spirit to a playoff matchup, and raised his performance to meet it.
Initially, Hadebe had promised to “bring the beast mode” during the playoffs, to which to Chapley, he did exactly that.
“Especially in the playoffs, I always have to bring the beast mode,” said of his passionate outbursts.
“That’s how it is. I have to give it all for the club, for the fans. I’ve said before, I’m ready to suffer for this club. I’m making sure to try my best in these remaining games.
“I wish I could have started with this team for the first game of the season. I’m happy that next season I’ll start with the guys. I just can’t wait to keep giving it my all. You’ll see the best of Teenage here soon. It’s coming.”
