The hits, roundhouse flicks and plaudits keep coming for South Africa’s Cassiem brothers, Dayaan and Mustaphaa, two of world hockey’s greatest talents.
The skilful duo from Cape Town helped secure a historic bronze medal for the SA men at this year’s FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Croatia earlier this year.
Mustapha, 22, was voted player of the tournament for his electrifying skills, while older brother and skipper Dayaan, 26, showed off his close control, tireless energy and eye for the spectacular goal under pressure.
The brothers were brought to tears after clinching a medal few had given the SA team coached by Justin Rosenberg a chance of winning.
They transferred their form to the outdoor league season when they returned to club side Amsterdam H&BC in the Netherlands. The brothers were a constant menace to opposition defences with the ability to create goals almost out of nothing, and an almost telepathic link on the astro forged from years playing together.
At the weekend, they got to celebrate again, after guiding Amsterdam H&BC to their first Dutch Hoofdklasse title in over a decade.
Amsterdam beat Kampong in the finals and need a penalty shoot-out to see off their rivals, Crucially, it was a deflected Dayaan Cassiem strike that helped draw the team from the capital level at 5-5, according to local media reports. Kampong had led 4-3 after the first leg.
“It doesn’t get better than this team and this club. I am forever grateful to my family, supporters and those closest to me and even those who didn’t believe. Thirteen years later the most beautiful club holds the title again and a childhood dream has been fulfilled,” an elated Mustapha posted on his Instagram account after the victory.
“This is what we spoke about since young,” an Instagram post by Dayaan read.
The Dutch league, or Tulp Hoofdklasse, is regarded as among the best in Europe, boasting some of the world’s top hockey stars. With their continued performances the brothers can count themselves among the world’s elite.
The next international hockey assignment for the SA national team, meanwhile, will be the FIH Hockey Men’s Nations Cup Tournament in Malaysia that gets under way on June 15.
