Dansin Reveals Confidence Behind Stunning Sundowns Volley
Orlando Pirates starlet Cemran Dansin says that from the moment he struck the ball against Mamelodi Sundowns in their league match in November, he knew it was destined for the back of the net.
Speaking to the media at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, ahead of the Carling Cup match against the Carling All Stars on Saturday, Dansin’s expression alone revealed what that stunning goal meant to him.
After the Buccaneers fell behind in a crucial league fixture at Loftus Versfeld, the young midfielder produced a brilliant equaliser, unleashing a powerful volley from the edge of the box that left Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams rooted to the spot.
The spectacular strike was named the best goal scored by the Soweto giants earlier this week, earning its second accolade in a matter of days when it was deservedly crowned the Betway Premiership Goal of the Month for November.
Remarkably, it was Dansin’s first senior professional goal, celebrated by both the club and the league as the standout strike of the month.
“It happened so quickly,” Dansin said when asked to take everyone through his thought process behind the goal.
“But as I hit it, I could see it was going in, and I just had to celebrate.”
Dansin may be a man of few words, but his glowing smile whenever the goal is mentioned speaks volumes about what it means to him.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise from youth football to the senior ranks since joining the Buccaneers in the 2023/24 season. His impressive displays in the DStv Diski Challenge earned him promotion to the first team during the final stretch of the 2024/25 campaign, where he made his debut off the bench in a 3–0 league win over Lamontville Golden Arrows.
He has since made 10 more senior appearances across competitions, including the CAF Champions League, where he registered his first assist.
According to Dansin, he never expected his breakthrough to arrive so quickly.
Last weekend, he also helped Pirates secure their second trophy of the season—the Carling Knockout Cup—after beating Marumo Gallants at Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Dansin admits the experience feels unreal.
“It is a great year for me,” he said. “Achieving so much in such a short space of time… I don’t know what to say. It is a very special year.”
