Christopher Kaev began playing football as a goalkeeper in many clubs in Australia. His desire and perseverance to learn and gain more experience took him to Macedonia. He also wanted to familiarise himself with his father, Goergi Kaev’s birthplace. After finishing high school he departed for the most senior Macedonian Football Club Vardar. In an interview for SBS Radio’s Macedonian Program upon his return to Australia, Christopher said he was impressed with what the club had to offer.
"Vardar is impressive, something more than a great football club, significant for Macedonia. It has everything that a fashionable football club needs to have - with all the accompanying facilities for training from the youngest to the senior categories."
Christopher also praised the coaching team. He pointed out that he was surprised at the professionalism for the minutest of details shown during the training process. He had only words of praise for goalkeeping coach Mane Manev.
"I was honoured and pleased that I worked and coached Mane Manev with a well-known coaching name for whom they all have complimentary words. One of the best goalkeepers in Macedonia who really confirmed this with the professionalism of the training's."
For the first time in its history, but also in the history of Macedonian football, Vardar has taken part in the group phase of the Europa League this year. But that very historical success was the reason why Christopher failed to be part of the first team of Vardar.
"I think I was a victim of success for the new coach, Chede Janevski, for experienced and good footballers for the European League events. That's why we from the younger generation, although playing in the Youth League of Europe, which really had good individuals, still almost no one got a chance in the first team "
Although he had offers to play on loan with other clubs, Christopher decided to come back to Australia and utilise the skill gained in Vardar here.
"I worked hard in Macedonia, it was a good football and life experience for me. The only way to figure out how much I have improved was to get back to where I started playing football. Now, that I'm home I realize how I did it."
Whilst honing his skills as a goalkeeper, Christopher has come to better know the country where his father was born. He says that he had a good time in Macedonia, and for his first impressions, he had this to say:
"It's not like in Australia, but both my father and I were very impressed by the positive changes that had occurred in the meantime. The way of life changed a lot from what my father told me about Macedonia. "
At the beginning of his stay in Macedonia, a problem for the young Christopher was also the Macedonian language which he wasn't that fluent in. Nevertheless, with the help of new friends and especially his grandmother, he slowly began to overcome his language barriers. With "Baba" (Grandmother) Christopher says it is always easier.
"After a long time I saw my grandmother who was happy to be with. It wasn't easy at first. She does not speak English and I don't speak Macedonian. But with grandmothers it is always easy to understand easily." We both took care for each other. She showed me Skopje and the beauties of the city. "
Christopher told us that as a member of Vardar he visited almost all cities in Macedonia. He met the beauties of Macedonia, but he also gained some new friends.
"In addition to football, I also had time of fellowship. I made friends with whom I spent a good time, with whom I also learned the Macedonian language, culture, traditions and customs." In the club I had the opportunity to get to know and talk to many former players and legends of Vardar. "
"I will certainly miss Macedonia. I will miss the trainings, the new friends from the club. Now I feel the same way as when I left Australia. My stay in Vardar and Macedonia was a great football and life experience. It was a pleasure to get to know my father's native land, "says Christopher.
Christopher reveals his future plans.
"I am now in Australia and looking for a new club. I believe that I have gained experience in Macedonia and Vardar, which I can use to find a club in the NPL, and of course continue football hoping that one day I can successfully defend the strikes of the opponent's players".
