November 2, 2018 – Melbourne, VIC, U.S. – MELBOURNE, VIC – NOVEMBER 02: Melbourne City midfielder Kearyn Baccus (15) looks ahead at the Hyundai A-League Round 3 soccer match between Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC on November 02, 2018, at AAMI Park in Melbourne. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire) (Credit Image: © Speed Media/Icon SMI via ZUMA Press)
Kaizer Chiefs new man Baccus opens up about his homecoming
From Australia’s A-League to a fresh challenge in South Africa’s PSL, Kearyn Baccus took a giant leap of faith when he joined Kaizer Chiefs.
November 2, 2018 – Melbourne, VIC, U.S. – MELBOURNE, VIC – NOVEMBER 02: Melbourne City midfielder Kearyn Baccus (15) looks ahead at the Hyundai A-League Round 3 soccer match between Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC on November 02, 2018, at AAMI Park in Melbourne. (Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire) (Credit Image: © Speed Media/Icon SMI via ZUMA Press)
Kearyn Baccus may be the only South African among the new players officially unveiled by Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday night, but not many local fans will have seen him kick a ball in anger within these shores.
The 27-year-old was born in Durban, but left as a kid when his family emigrated to Australia close to two decades ago.
It is in the land Down Under, where he played the bulk of his football, even turning out for the country’s national Under-17 side.
Baccus happy to be a Kaizer Chiefs player
However, a leap of faith has seen him return to the country of his birth to join its most popular club.
Speaking as he was unveiled alongside, James Kotei, Samir Nurkovic and Lazarous Kambole, Baccus said he had no anxieties about his new challenge.
“Why back to South Africa? A lot of people have asked me that, and it just felt like the right thing for me to do,” explained Baccus.
“I was born here, so I’m not really scared of what can or is going to happen. Anything can happen in any country; I’ve just got to have an open mind about things and be wary.
“But Chiefs is a big club, and I want to help them get back to where I think it should be. Hopefully, I can do that this season.”
Kearyn Baccus
Baccus was a mainstay in the Melbourne City line-up throughout the 2018/19 season, not missing a match, and starting in all but one of his 26 league appearances.
The midfielder also revealed that he could have turned out for Chiefs earlier, as the club had pursued him the previous season, but without success.
“Last season, there was a bit of interest [from Chiefs], but I couldn’t get a release from my club Melbourne City at the time,” he added.
“They asked me again a couple of months ago, and I spoke to my agent and family, and it felt like the right thing to do. I definitely wanted a new challenge, and I’m happy that I’m here.”
Kearyn Baccus
At Chiefs, Baccus will wear the number six jersey previously worn by former Bafana midfielder, Reneilwe Letsholonyane among others.
The club begins its PSL campaign with an away game to Highlands Park on Sunday, 4 August.
