He was the target of the boo brigade when he played in the under-23 team, now George Koumantarakis is the top scorer in the Premiership
SOCCER: Andrew Muchineripi
THERE was more than a touch of irony surrounding the fact that Milpark Stadium was the setting last weekend for one of the finest goals scored by leading Castle Premiership marksman George Koumantarakis from Manning Rangers.
The home of Wits often played host to the national under-23 team, the Sasol Super Squad, and Greek-born Koumantarakis did not exactly endear himself to many South African supporters when he played for this team.
They found it hard to accept that the gangling forward deserved to be in the team, despite the fact that he was the leading scorer with six goals. He was too awkward, they claimed. Too British in his football outlook. Not skilful enough.
What a pity the couch coaches were not around on Saturday afternoon as Big George boosted his league tally to 14 with as good a goal as even the most discerning football fan could wish to see.
The teams were level at 1-1 with five minutes left and Rangers’ 100% away record in the national championship looked in jeopardy when a clearance from goalkeeper Grant Johnson dropped outside the penalty area. A glancing header may have dropped short of Koumantarakis, but he slammed the ball over goalkeeper Perry Suckling for one of the goals of the season with “fantastic” and “stunning” just two of the words used to describe the effort.
Rangers went on to triumph 3-1 and move five points clear of Kaizer Chiefs at the top of the Premiership with slightly more than half the fixtures completed in the chase for a R500 000 first prize. Koumantarakis also stretched his lead in the R35 000 individual scorers competition as he moved on to the 14-goal mark, three ahead of Zimbabwean Wilfred Mugeyi, the “Silver Fox” from Bush Bucks.
As Rangers continue to surprise observers by holding off the challenges of more fancied rivals like Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, Koumantarakis has revelled in the belated attention being afforded him and his teammates. National coach Clive Barker said in Durban this week that up to four Rangers players could be included in the squad for the World Cup qualifier against Congo in Brazzaville in April.
There are certainly no prizes for guessing two candidates: Koumantarakis and defender Bradley Muir, who has already been called up twice by Bafana Bafana without getting a chance to display his talents. While the controversial Sean Dundee was born in South Africa and opted to play for Germany, Koumantarakis was born in Greece and committed himself to his adopted home without hesitation when chosen for the Sasol Super Squad.
George was just five and already enjoying kicking a football when the Koumantarakis family quit Athens for Durban, where his football-loving father established a construction company. After six-year spells with amateur clubs Chiltern and Westville, George joined National Soccer League lower division club Stella where he quickly developed into a consistent scorer.
In January 1993, Koumantarakis stepped into the big time with famous Durban club Amazulu, but such was the strength of the squad that the 18-year-old realised first- team chances would be few and he moved on to less fashionable Rangers.
While gradually establishing himself with the “Mighty Maulers”, Koumantarakis studied for and graduated with degrees in law and commerce. Assured of a future when his footballing days will consist entirely of memories, he now intends to enjoy himself.
Contrary to press reports, he is not about to join Austrian champions Rapid. Koumantarakis did have a brief trial with the famous Vienna club but is committed to helping Rangers win the title for the first time. A more likely overseas destination is one of the smaller Greek First Division clubs with world champions Juventus of Italy his ultimate goal. “They run like the English and touch the ball like the Brazilians,” says George.
Not surprisingly his individual hero, Alen Boksic, wears the legendary black and white of the masters from Turin. Tall, with the pace of a panther and the footwork of a ballerina, the Croat ranks among the best forwards in the world.
Koumantarakis comes considerably further down the ladder, ranking among the best forwards in South Africa, but given his phenomenal progress, dare anyone bet against him one day partnering his idol in the Juventus attack.