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New signing Ditlhokwe confident of contributing to Chiefs revival
"For you to grow you must have challenges, there's no player that can grow without having challenges," says the new Chiefs defender.
Thatayaone Ditlhokwe in action for SuperSport United during the DStv Premiership match against Sekhukhune United at Peter Mokaba Stadium on May 20. Ditlhokwe has joined Chiefs. (Photo: Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
If he were to be judged on confidence alone, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe would already be a big signing for Kaizer Chiefs for next season.
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The 24-year-old defender will swap the blue of SuperSport United for the gold and black of Chiefs next season.
Ditlhokwe signed a pre-contract with Chiefs in January and will link up with his new teammates in July when they reassemble for preseason training.
But with some of the new players who joined Chiefs earlier this season failing to make the grade, pressure will be on the new guys to see if they sink or swim.
Thabani Dube, Njabulo Ngcobo and Zitha Kwinika failed to cement their places in Arthur Zwane’s side. And the Amakhosi mentor has admitted that some players find the club’s shirt too heavy.
But Ditlhokwe, who captains Botswana’s Zebras, seems aware of the pressure he will walk into and told SABC Sport that he was ready for it.
“One thing I can tell you is that I’m the captain of the national team, I’m a player for the national team,” said Ditlhokwe this week.
“I captained my national team at the age of 21, so I don’t think there’s any pressure which can be more than what I’ve already passed through.
Ditlhokwe wants trophies
“It’s just a normal challenge that every player can face. That’s why I say for you to grow you must have challenges, there’s no player that can grow without having challenges.”
Coming to Chiefs, Ditlhokwe will have to carry the burden of the club’s eight barren years in terms of silverware. But Amakhosi supporters will be happy to know he has big ambitions.
“I need to win trophies. I need to play in continental competitions like the Champions League and Caf… That’s what I’m looking forward to as a player.
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“That’s what I’m trying every time and at every training session so that I can grow as a player and win those things because you don’t just win them for the sake of winning.”
He will have Ngcobo, Dube, Kwinika, Siyabonga Ngezana and Edmilson Dove as competition in the centre of the Amakhosi defence.
