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By Sibongiseni Gumbi

Football Writer


Zuma happy to be ‘Super Sub’ as long as Chiefs win

"I always enjoy helping the team to win games. Even if I have to be a Super Sub, I will take that," he said.


Dumisani Zuma has become Kaizer Chiefs’ “Super Sub” as the 23-year-old midfielder has come on a few occasions and helped Amakhosi wins, but for him it is always about helping the team win whether he starts or comes on later in the game.

He was the man who killed the match for Amakhosi last weekend when he scored the second goal off the bench as they secured a 2-0 win over Cape Town City in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal.

“I don’t know if I am a Super Sub,” said the shy Amakhosi star. “But I always enjoy helping the team to win games. Even if I have to be a Super Sub, I will take that,” he added.

“I only like coming on as a substitute when I feel my fitness levels are not up to required standard like when I am recovering from injury and the likes. But once I am fully fit I also want to start games. But that is the coach’s decision alone,” said the diminutive former Bloemfontein Celtic player.

Zuma has hit form at the right time and will be one of the players Amakhosi will rely on again this evening when they meet Baroka FC in an Absa Premiership match at FNB Stadium as Ernst Middendorp’s side look to move up from their seventh position in the log standings.

“The form has come at the right time for me. I am going to continue and try to score more goals. Most of the guys here have always had my back and motivated me. They have made me more comfortable and that is maybe why we are scoring more goals.

“Everyone now knows they have to fight to get a place in the team. There are no guarantees as to who will start. It will be a difficult game. We want to win but they are an awkward team because they can sit back and catch you on a counter.”

Zuma said a win against Baroka will further boost their confidence as they look for a good finish to their season which has had its ups and downs.

“We are just building our momentum and we are now looking to win all our remaining games and maybe we can finish in a good position and win the Nedbank Cup.”

Baroka will be no layabouts up for Amakhosi’s taking as they are in a battle to move away from relegation and with just five games left, they will be desperate. Bakgaga have always given the Glamour Boys hard times over the years.
The Polokwane based side are second from bottom with 21 points after 25 matches. A defeat to Amakhosi tonight could see Wedson Nyirenda’s side sink further into relegation trouble.

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder, Thandani Ntshumayelo is meanwhile likely to make his debut for Baroka this evening after joining the side three weeks ago.

Ntshumayelo has just returned to football after spending three years away following a ban for the use of a banned substance.

 

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