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“As a player, I would say I have an extremely strong work ethic and I do not like to lose. I give everything for my team and would be willing to put my body on the line to save every shot.”
Seventeen year old Fatima College goalkeeper Jacob Camacho tries to live by his school’s motto: “by striving you shall conquer.”
Relegated from the Premier Division and already eliminated from the National Intercol competition, it has been testing season for Fatima and their five foot nine goalkeeper. But Camacho is not one to cower when the going gets tough.
He spoke one on one with Wired868:
(Courtesy Christopher Camacho)
What is your date of birth?
9 August 2001.
What is your hometown?
I live in Maraval.
When did you start playing football?
I started playing at the age of 8 and goalkeeping from age 13. Originally, I played more cricket than football. I started playing cricket from the age of five; I always enjoyed being an outfielder and diving to make catches. That later influenced my decision to become a goalkeeper in Form 1.
Football for me was much more exciting and entertaining [than cricket], so that’s why I chose to play football.
Which coach(es) had the most influence on you and why?
I would say my goalkeeping coaches Declan Squires and Jefferson George. They have really helped me and continue to help me in my development as a goalkeeper. My head coach Wayne Shepherd always encourages me to reach my full potential and give my all in training.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
What makes you stand out as a player?
As a player I would say I have an extremely strong work ethic and I do not like to lose. I give everything for my team and would be willing to put my body on the line to save every shot.
How do you prepare for an important game?
What works best for me is visualising the game in my head as well as listening to music.
Who is your favourite player and why?
I admire many of the top goal keepers but my favourite one would have to be [England goalkeeper] Jordan Pickford, due to his effortless distribution and amazing reflexes.
What is your favourite team?
Manchester City.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy liming with my friends, playing football and studying when I can, as education comes first.
How would you describe yourself as a person?
I would describe myself as hardworking. I try to get the best out of my teammates and to be a leader.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
From a young age, I used to compete in golf tournaments at St Andrews Golf Course. I even won a few trophies.
What has been your best and worst moment in football so far?
My best moment would have to be winning the National Under-16 League and knockout competition last year [with Fatima] and being unbeaten through the season. My worst moment would have to be when we got relegated this year.
What do you hope to do when you finish school?
When I finish secondary school, my goal is to study. Most likely, [I want to study] sports medicine and to play football in the US. My dream is to represent the national team.
What do you define as success for you as a player?
Success for me would be to execute all the positives which I learnt at training into the game and to communicate well with my teammates in order to win and get a clean sheet.
What advice would you give to young players?
My advice would be to take training seriously and try to get as much information as possible from your coaches. Watching online videos of professional players is also really helpful in developing good habits in training and in games.
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Michelle Salandy is a Bachelor of Arts student in Mass Communications at COSTAATT and a single parent of two. At present, she works in the field of administration.
She believes that in order to grow one must be open to new experiences and challenges.
I saw him in one ssfl game this year. He stood out for his team. He really puts his body on the line.
Confident and talented young man. Best wishes for a bright future Jacob. ⚽️ ☀️
Outstanding young man!! Excellent example of discipline, focus and good work ethic
He gave a better interview than some our local pro footballers.