'I think four steps in advance': How Pirates' derby hero Erasmus keeps ahead of the pack

Talented Orlando Pirates forward Kermit Erasmus proved his worth by scoring the opening goal in their 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup semi-final Soweto derby.

While his performance on the field showcased his impressive skills and vision for the game, it's interesting to note that, as a youngster, Erasmus was not a big fan of watching football on television.

In fact, he preferred playing football with his friends in the streets of Gelvandale in Gqeberha rather than watching it on TV.

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"I used to play in the street and watching football wasn’t something I'd really do. I never watched football on TV until I joined the academy as a teenager,” says Erasmus.

However, his time at the SuperSport Feyenoord Academy (now SuperSport United Academy) changed his perspective, and he began to follow the game visually, studying matches and refining his skills.

The academy partnered with Feyenoord in The Netherlands, which exposed him to a different way of thinking about the game.

Erasmus believes that football is all about manipulating spaces, and he uses his vision to identify opportunities on the field and encourage his teammates to move into dangerous spaces.

"I don't think about the game like most players. I think four steps in advance. I look before I move. I don't just move for the sake of it.

"A lot of the time, I have to coach my teammates so that we don’t move in each other’s spaces. That’s how I play the game."

Erasmus, 32, is a senior player for Pirates, and he has taken on a mentorship role in helping his teammates to understand what is expected of them and to believe in themselves.

In the Soweto derby, communication on the