A memorable breakthrough season with Cape Town City earned defender Taariq Fielies a Bafana Bafana call-up. FourFourTwo South Africa caught up with the man known as ‘Tarra’ to discuss his meteoric rise and prospects for the new season.

The former Ajax Cape Town man was snapped up by the Citizens prior to the start of the 2017-18 campaign and arguably took everybody by surprise with his seasoned performances in the heart of the defence alongside former captain Robyn Johannes.

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‘I got so much fond memories in my first season (at Cape Town City) but the one that stands out is obviously making my debut and of course reaching the MTN8 final,’ he told TFG SoccerClub.

Benni McCarthy handed Fielies his debut in a hotly-contested MTN8 semi-final clash against Bidvest Wits at the Cape Town Stadium in 2017.

Fielies stood tall in his baptism of fire, infamously coming out tops in his dual with Al-Ahly and Egypt international forward Amr Gamal.

That performance set the scene for the Salt River born man who grew in stature as the season progressed, ending his first full campaign in PSL with unrookie-like figures of 34 appearances across all competitions and one goal scored.

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The former Milano United defender acknowledged the fact he will have to up his game and take a more senior role due to the departure of Johannes to Wits.

‘This season for me, I will have to up it a level by working harder than I did last season,’ the Bafana Bafana defender said.

‘In fact, we all have to. I know I will probably be expected to take a more senior role at the back. I’ll try my best to advise the others [Keanu Cupido, Kouassi Kouadja and Kwanda Mngonyama] what I was taught and they can advise me as well,’ he concluded.

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City do duty against SuperSport in their first Absa Premiership clash at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday 4 August with kickoff set for 6pm. .

Photo: Backpagepix