Former Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town City goalkeeper has switched his career for something different! | OneFootball

It seems to be a surprise to everyone, but the player is happy with what he has chosen for his life.

Former Stellenbosch FC and Cape Town City goalkeeper has switched his career for something different!

Reid Bombay has traded the roar of the stadium for the blare of sirens. His hands, once sheathed in a goalkeeper's gloves to deflect shots on goal, now grip the reins of a very different mission as a recruit in the City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Service. This dramatic career pivot marks the latest chapter in a life defined by resilience.

His roots in the challenging neighbourhood of Lavender Hill forged a tenacious spirit, one that first found its expression on the football pitch. His career began in the humble grounds of Steenberg United, a journey he recalls as a "roller coaster ride of emotions" that ultimately propelled him to his dream move to Cape Town City in 2020.

Among the cherished memories is his electrifying top-flight debut under the floodlights against SuperSport United. "It's an experience of a lifetime... a moment I'll cherish for the rest of my life," Bombay once reflected, acknowledging the surprise and sheer joy of a childhood dream fulfilled. Yet, that same pivotal year brought a more profound milestone the birth of his son, shifting his life's priorities.

When his contract with Stellenbosch wasn't renewed, the future of football grew uncertain. "I can't say much about how it's going now because at the moment I don't have a team," he admitted, signalling a period of transition.

Now, in 2025, the field has changed. The goalposts have been replaced by new challenges, and the pressure to perform for a crowd has evolved into a profound responsibility to protect his community. Reid Bombay is no longer guarding a net, but standing as a guardian for his city, embracing a different kind of pressure that requires a deeper, more profound courage.