Renaldo Leaner’s tears fuel his rise from Elsies River to PSL breakthrough

Renaldo Leaner is a crybaby. But such are the benefits of his labour that he is proud of the sweat and tears he has put in to get to where he is today.

Leaner was born in Elsies River, one of the crime-ridden townships in Cape Town. As such, he had a choice: take the easy, crime-bound route or the road less travelled – and he chose the latter.

His decision, coupled with hard work, has made him a role model in his community, as he has also found a balance between his studies and his professional football career.

The 28-year-old, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday, holds three educational qualifications –a Bachelor of Education, a Higher Certificate in Sport Psychology, and a Higher Certificate in Sport Science. He is also the No. 1 goalkeeper at PSL top-flight side Sekhukhune United.

While Leaner is basking in his success – though remaining humble – he revealed that it was not easy at first, especially when he began his BEd while starting his career at Cape Town Spurs, who were then campaigning in the ABC Motsepe League.

“At the beginning, it was very challenging. I used to cry a lot at night,” Leaner said. “I only feel now that hard work pays off. I have three qualifications, and I am a professional player. I am just telling everyone out there that it’s possible to pursue your dreams – to be a soccer player and get an education as well.”

With football being a very unpredictable and short career, Leaner is proud to have something to fall back on, especially if things do not work out for him in the near future.

“I don’t know whether I would have to use them (my qualifications), but I would like to work in a development programme – where education and sport go hand in hand and you can give back to the kids,” Leaner said.

“I could be there and be a prime example that I managed both soccer and education. So, that’s the goal if I don’t make enough money in football.”

Leaner may not have used his qualifications directly on the pitch, but they have already helped him in staying calm and composed.

The shot-stopper started the season as the No. 1 at Sekhukhune, helping the team reach the MTN8 semi-final and keeping three clean sheets in the first four Betway Premiership matches of the season.

However, coach Eric Tinkler dropped him for Toaster Ntsabata. But rather than throwing his toys out of the cot, Leaner took the setback in his stride and worked his way back into the starting line-up.

“The coach decided to go the other way, saying that he was going to give Toaster a chance. I was professional about it. I accepted that I wasn’t playing, so I never made any arguments or missed a training session,” Leaner said.

“I was there, asking the coach how I could get back to where I was before. I got the details and worked on them. I feel like he saw the improvements and gave me another chance. So, I am just paying that back and showing where I have improved.”

Thanks to Tinkler's advice, Leaner has been on an upward trajectory for Babina Noko, drawing special praise from the football fraternity, including opposition fans.

Some admirers have already touted Leaner to be in the Bafana Bafana final squad for the upcoming Fifa World Cup in June – a feat that motivates him to continue working hard, especially after tasting national team action during an international friendly against Tanzania last year.

“When I got my first call-up, I wanted to cry. It was like a dream come true,” Leaner said. “You have to be grateful for what you achieve in life.

“I never thought that I’d play for the national team. So once I got the opportunity and tasted it, I said, ‘I want more.’ Now I know that someone out there is watching.

“I have been in the preliminary squad, but not the final squad. So all I can do is just work hard. If I get a spot – or if I don’t – that’s fine. But I will keep pushing, and maybe I will make the World Cup squad.”

Leaner’s hard work includes helping Sekhukhune to an impressive finish in the league and progressing to the Nedbank Cup last 16, where they will face Motsepe Foundation Championship side University of Pretoria (UP) next weekend.

Having won back-to-back matches against TS Galaxy and Highbury FC, Babina Noko hope to make it three wins in a row when they face Orbit College in a league match at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday (3.30pm kick-off).

“There’s more positivity in camp and momentum,” Leaner said. “We believe that we can continue with this momentum. We are looking at our next game where we can actually get three wins in a row.”