Darren Keet is a South African soccer player who is known for his impressive goalkeeping skills. He was born on August 5th, 1989, in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. Keet started his professional football career in 2007 with Cape Town Spurs, a South African football club. He played with different clubs in South Africa before moving to Belgium in 2018 to join OH Leuven.
Keet’s performance in the Belgian First Division was impressive, and he soon caught the attention of other European clubs. In 2021, he returned to South Africa to join Cape Town City FC, where he continues to play as their goalkeeper. Keet has also played for the South African national football team and has represented his country in several international matches.
Key Takeaways
- Darren Keet is a South African soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper.
- Keet has played for several clubs in South Africa and Belgium and is currently playing for Cape Town City FC.
- He has also represented the South African national football team in international matches.
Early Life and Career
Youth Career
Darren Keet was born on August 5, 1989, in Cape Town, South Africa. Unfortunately, there is not much information available regarding his early life and youth career.
Professional Debut
Keet turned professional in 2007 with Vasco Da Gama. He was part of the team that was promoted to the National First Division level. He then moved to the Bidvest Wits, where he played for several years. During his time with Bidvest Wits, he established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the country.
In 2013, Keet made his international debut for South Africa in a friendly against Zimbabwe at Orlando Stadium, starting and playing the full 90 minutes. He has since become a regular member of the national team, making several appearances in major tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
Keet is currently playing for Cape Town City in the PSL. He has been an integral part of the team since joining in 2018, helping them to reach the MTN8 final in his first season.
Club Career
Domestic Clubs
Darren Keet started his professional career with Vasco Da Gama in 2008. He played for the club until 2011 and helped them achieve promotion to the National First Division. Keet’s impressive performances caught the attention of Bidvest Wits, who signed him in 2011. He played for the club until 2019, making 179 appearances in all competitions. During his time at Bidvest Wits, Keet won the 2016/17 PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award.
In 2019, Keet joined Belgian club K.V. Kortrijk. He made 19 appearances for the club before returning to South Africa to join Cape Town City in 2020. He has been a regular starter for the club since his arrival, making 26 appearances in all competitions.
International Experience
Darren Keet made his international debut for South Africa in 2013. He has since made 23 appearances for the national team. Keet was a member of the South African squad that participated in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He played in all three group stage matches and kept a clean sheet in the goalless draw against Morocco.
Keet’s performances for the national team have been impressive, and he has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country. His experience playing in Europe has also helped him develop his skills and become a better player.
National Team Career
International Debut
Darren Keet made his debut for the South African national team on November 14, 2012, in a friendly match against Zambia. He kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory, and his impressive performance earned him a spot in the team for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tournament Participation
Keet was part of the South African squad that participated in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa. He started all four matches, conceding three goals and keeping one clean sheet. South Africa was eliminated in the quarter-finals after losing to Mali in a penalty shootout.
Keet also played in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt. He started all three group stage matches, conceding one goal and keeping two clean sheets. However, South Africa was eliminated in the Round of 16 after losing to Nigeria.
Overall, Keet has made 13 appearances for the South African national team as of October 2020.
Playing Style and Position
Darren Keet is a goalkeeper who is known for his quick reflexes, good shot-stopping abilities, and excellent distribution skills. He is a commanding presence in the box and is not afraid to come off his line to make a crucial save. Keet’s ability to read the game and anticipate the opposition’s moves makes him an asset to any team he plays for.
Keet has played for various clubs in his career, including Bidvest Wits, KV Kortrijk, and OH Leuven, before joining Cape Town City FC in 2021. He has also represented the South African national team on several occasions.
As a goalkeeper, Keet’s primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring goals. He achieves this by positioning himself well, making quick and accurate decisions, and communicating effectively with his teammates. Keet’s excellent distribution skills allow him to start counterattacks quickly and efficiently.
In addition to his shot-stopping and distribution skills, Keet is also known for his ability to handle pressure situations. He has a calm and composed demeanor on the field, which helps him make crucial saves even in high-pressure situations.
Overall, Darren Keet is a talented goalkeeper who brings a wealth of experience and skill to any team he plays for. His playing style and position make him an invaluable asset to his team, and he is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in South Africa.
Notable Achievements and Awards
Darren Keet has had a successful career as a goalkeeper, earning several notable achievements and awards throughout his career. Here are some of his most significant accomplishments:
- 2012/13 Premier Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Season: Keet was recognized as the best goalkeeper in the Premier Soccer League during the 2012/13 season. He played a crucial role in helping his team, Bidvest Wits, finish in the top half of the table.
- 2013/14 Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament: Keet was instrumental in helping Bidvest Wits win the Nedbank Cup in the 2013/14 season. He made several key saves in the final against Orlando Pirates and was named the Player of the Tournament.
- 2015 CAF Team of the Year: Keet was named in the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Team of the Year in 2015. This was a significant achievement for the South African goalkeeper, as he was recognized as one of the best players in Africa.
- 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Quarterfinals: Keet played a crucial role in helping South Africa reach the quarterfinals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. He made several key saves in the tournament, including a penalty save in the round of 16 against Egypt.
- 2020/21 Belgian Cup Winner: Keet won the Belgian Cup with his team, KV Kortrijk, during the 2020/21 season. He played a crucial role in the final, making several key saves to help his team secure the trophy.
Overall, Darren Keet has had a successful career as a goalkeeper, earning several notable achievements and awards throughout his career. His performances on the pitch have earned him recognition both domestically and internationally, cementing his status as one of the best goalkeepers in South Africa.
Personal Life
Darren Keet was born on August 5, 1989, in Cape Town, South Africa. He has not shared much about his early life and parents in public.
In terms of his personal life, Keet is a married man. He tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend, Romy Keet. The couple has two children together.
Keet is known for his love of tattoos. He has a variety of tattoos on his body, including a large one on his right arm.
The South African goalkeeper is also a fitness enthusiast. He regularly posts pictures of himself working out on his social media accounts.
Overall, Keet keeps his personal life private and focuses on his career as a professional footballer.
Media and Public Perception
Darren Keet has been a prominent figure in South African football for over a decade. As a result, he has garnered significant media attention throughout his career. Keet’s performances have been praised by the media, with many journalists highlighting his exceptional shot-stopping abilities and his commanding presence in the penalty area.
Despite his successes, Keet has also faced criticism from the media and fans at times. Some have questioned his decision-making and positioning, and there have been instances where he has been blamed for conceding goals. However, Keet has always remained focused on his game and has continued to work hard to improve his skills.
Keet’s public perception is generally positive, with many fans and fellow players admiring his talent and dedication to the sport. He is known for his professionalism on and off the field, and has been praised for his leadership skills and positive attitude. Keet is also active on social media, where he often shares updates on his training and matches, as well as his personal life.
Overall, Darren Keet’s media and public perception is that of a talented and hardworking goalkeeper, who has made a significant contribution to South African football. While he has faced criticism at times, he has always remained committed to improving his skills and has become a respected figure in the sport.
Career Statistics
Club Statistics
Darren Keet has played for several clubs in his career, including KV Kortrijk, Bidvest Wits FC, OH Leuven, and Cape Town City FC. He played a total of 225 matches for these clubs and kept 68 clean sheets. He has played the most number of matches for Bidvest Wits FC, where he played 103 matches and kept 30 clean sheets. His performance at Bidvest Wits FC earned him a move to Belgian club KV Kortrijk in 2018.
At KV Kortrijk, Keet played 38 matches and kept 12 clean sheets. He played for the club until 2020 and then moved to OH Leuven, where he played 17 matches and kept 3 clean sheets. He then returned to South Africa to play for Cape Town City FC in 2021. So far, he has played 67 matches for the club and kept 23 clean sheets.
National Team Statistics
Darren Keet has represented the South African national team in 14 matches. He made his debut for the national team in 2013 in a friendly match against Zimbabwe. He has since played in several international matches, including the African Cup of Nations in 2015 and 2019.
Keet has kept 5 clean sheets for the national team and has conceded 17 goals. He was part of the South African squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 African Cup of Nations. Keet played a crucial role in the tournament, making several crucial saves to help his team progress to the knockout stages.
Overall, Darren Keet has had a successful career as a goalkeeper, both at the club and international level.
Off the Field
Charity Work
Darren Keet has been involved in various charitable activities throughout his career. In 2015, he participated in a charity game organized by Bidvest Wits to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The game was played between Bidvest Wits and a team of celebrities, and Keet played a crucial role in helping his team win the game.
In 2018, Keet was part of a group of South African footballers who visited a children’s hospital in Johannesburg. The visit was organized by the South African Football Association (SAFA) and aimed to bring joy to the children and inspire them to pursue their dreams.
Business Ventures
Off the field, Darren Keet is also involved in various business ventures. In 2019, he launched his own clothing line called “DK1”. The line features a range of trendy and stylish clothing items, including t-shirts, hoodies, and caps. The clothing line has been well-received by fans and has helped to establish Keet as a fashion icon in South Africa.
Moreover, Keet is also a co-owner of a popular restaurant in Johannesburg. The restaurant, called “The Keet House”, offers a unique dining experience with a menu that features a fusion of African and European cuisine. The restaurant has received rave reviews and has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
In addition to his clothing line and restaurant, Keet also has various endorsement deals with top brands in South Africa. These include deals with Adidas, MTN, and Castle Lager, among others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What clubs has Darren Keet played for throughout his career?
Darren Keet started his professional career with Cape Town Spurs in 2008. Since then, he has played for several clubs, including Bidvest Wits, KV Kortrijk, OH Leuven, and Cape Town City FC.
How many international caps does Darren Keet have to his name?
As of May 2024, Darren Keet has earned 54 caps for the South African national team.
What are the notable achievements and awards of Darren Keet?
Darren Keet has won several individual awards throughout his career, including the South African Goalkeeper of the Season award in 2012 and 2016. He was also named in the South African Premier Soccer League Team of the Season in 2016.
What is the playing style and position of Darren Keet on the field?
Darren Keet is a goalkeeper known for his excellent shot-stopping abilities. He is also comfortable with the ball at his feet, allowing him to participate in the build-up play. Darren Keet primarily plays as a goalkeeper but has also played as a left-back in his early career.
How has Darren Keet’s performance evolved over his career?
Darren Keet’s performance has improved significantly over the years. He has gained more experience and has become more confident in his abilities. His shot-stopping abilities have improved, and he has become more comfortable with the ball at his feet, allowing him to participate in the build-up play.
What is the impact of Darren Keet on his current team?
Darren Keet’s impact on Cape Town City FC has been significant. He has been a reliable presence in goal, making crucial saves to keep his team in games. His experience and leadership have also helped younger players in the team.
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