By Marco Negeri
A story written in the stars perhaps best describes the personal odyssey of Petrus Shitembi, the Brave Warriors’ captain and Terengganu FC’s midfield maven known all-over as Dancing Shoes, a story I was privileged to hear during our catchup in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia recently.
Petrus had his 2021 season cruelly truncated over a career threatening injury. Today, he finds himself a game away from possibly hoisting his first ever domestic trophy this Saturday in Malaysia’s highly anticipated FA Cup final match, having helped Terengganu reach the final for the first time in 11 years.
“I am proud of the team’s achievement, especially given that we have not reached the final of the FA Cup in such a long time. Personally, I truly am grateful and extremely humbled to find myself at this stage after enduring such a grim year.”
Asked about playing in front of an expected sellout crowd at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Petrus was relishing the experience:
“I love cup finals! I have heard so much about the electrifying atmosphere at Bukit Jalil (Stadium). I understand it is every footballer’s dream in Malaysia to thrive in front of a capacity 87 000 crowd and I am no different. It will definitely be an incredible moment I intend to cherish, and I am calling on all the faithful fans of Terengganu to rally the team forward as we challenge for the cup.”
Although ecstatic, he respects Terengganu’s opponents in the final, Malaysian football Goliaths Johor Darul Ta’zim. Both teams went great guns throughout their respective FA Cup campaigns, hence deeming no clear winners in this matchup. This, added to Terengganu’s remarkable record of being the only team that had beaten Johor in the league since last season makes the clash more fascinating.
“Johor is an incredible team with quality all around, seeing how they fared domestically and regionally in the Asian Champions League (Asia’s equivalent to the UEFA Champions League). But in the same breath, I believe we have great qualities and players who are capable of competing against anyone. I am positive it will be a thrilling final for the fans and players to savour.”
For Malaysian football connoisseurs, the dazzling and enterprising midfield of the two teams is where the main battle lies. Aside from Shitembi, Manny Ott of the Philippines and Habib Haroon of Bahrain have been Terengganu’s creative fulcrum, bossing the pitch with their dominant plays, crisp passes and occasional goalscoring abilities.
“There will be quite a number of gripping battles all around the field and I expect many key players to shine in this final.”
“As for the game plan, I trust our technical team as they have been equipping us the entire season and making sure we are up and ready for each game.”
But once upon a time and long before Bukit Jalil, Petrus underwent a solitary recovery sojourn in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur, determined to find his “dancing moves” again.
“My rehab was challenging but it provided me with an opportunity to explore a different side of myself when it comes to overcoming adversity. As much as it was hard, I do appreciate my journey and am blessed to be back out doing what I love to do again. Obviously having people around you that are supportive like my head coach Nafuzi Zain makes it much easier.”
“Finding myself in this position today shows how much work I have been putting in. The least I can do is to repay everyone’s faith. Coming back from a year without football, I need to keep my shoulder to the wheel and strive harder than others who had always been in action without issues. Those were things that kept me going.”
But for Petrus, it was more than just his team that helped him heal without ado; it was the warm reception he received from his present home.
“Terengganu is amazing and its people are lovely, friendly and supportive. I have nothing but love for them, and will do everything in my will to repay their generosity by bringing the cup back to this beloved state.”
Winning the FA Cup would also help Terengganu clinch a spot in Asia’s regional club competition for next season, the AFC Cup, which would signal its ambitious growth since its modernisation and privatisation in 2020.
“Qualifying for the AFC Cup would be massive and an amazing way to cap off the year. I would be thrilled should the opportunity arrive for Terengganu to compete against Asia’s best next season.”
But despite spending big for years in the hope of attaining domestic and continental success, Terengganu has had nothing to display in its trophy cabinet. Critics even questioned their selection policy of opting for Petrus over proven forwards, yet experiencing periods of goal droughts.
With expectations rising, the FA Cup final will not just be a cup final for Terengganu – it will be the game that captures and defines their entire season.
And for Petrus Shitembi, he needs to show in front of 87 000 people that he can “dance” when it really matters.
