Johannesburg - Daine Klate stood motionless at the Mbombela Stadium auditorium while Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt paid him a glowing tribute after his two goals helped the Clever Boys win their first title in six years. They did that at the expense of Mamelodi Sundowns whom they beat 3-0 on Saturday.
In those six trophy-less seasons for Wits, Klate won six trophies at Orlando Pirates as he became one of the most decorated footballers in the country. He briefly returned to SuperSport United after his time with the Buccaneers was up in January last year. It was at Matsatsantsa that Klate previously won three league titles in a row with Hunt. The coach convinced him to join the Wits last season. Two seasons into their time in Braamfontein, the pair has brought the MTN8 title to their once barren trophy cabinet.
“Daine has been a fantastic servant,” Hunt said. “I don’t think that he gets the accolades he deserves in this game. This was his 13th final. He has won so many league titles. He has been a great servant of the game for South African football. He should have had way more Bafana Bafana caps than he currently has. If you want a left-side player, you aren’t going to get any better. I have said to Daine that we need to re-invent you a little bit. You are not the youngster who can go up and down the field like you used to. We needed to find a way where we can save him and make him more effective. We have moved him inside (from the wing) to play him as a second striker.”
Despite his many accolades, Klate is driven to excel by the passion to win more things and the desire to repay the faith Hunt showed in him.
“We only start training at 9am but at 7am, I am already there,” Klate said. “The coach knows me from our days back at SuperSport. He knows I am effective when it comes to being in and around the box. He is pushing me to play more in the middle by being box-to-box, especially with my work rate having to come back and defend as well.
“My understanding of the game, as I’ve grown up and gained experienced is better and I know where and how to cover. I think that with Xola Mlambo behind me, he is exceptional. The way he talks on the field and the way he pushes me. Thabang Monare is also unbelievable. The connection we have the three of us is impressive.”
Klate and Hunt believe that things will be tougher for them now that they have picked the first silverware of the season because clubs will be targeting them.
“We’ve got the monkey off our back,” Klate said. “Now that we have won the first trophy, we will try and use this momentum to build a strong winning mentality.”
@extrastrongsa
The Star