Tefu Mashamaite is a reluctant hero. Now captaining Kaizer Chiefs in the absence of injured goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, the big defender has been very instrumental in Amakhosi’s early season success.
Mashamaite has not only ably shored up the rearguard with aplomb to ensure that young ‘keeper Brilliant Khuzwayo is protected from opposition attacks but has also chipped in with some crucial goals.
Just last weekend he delivered the strike that kept Chiefs’ 100 percent record in tact when Stuart Baxter’s team broke their long winless run at Ajax Cape Town with a 1-0 victory.
Last month it was his solitary goal that saw Chiefs capture the MTN8 title at the expense of Orlando Pirates.
Ahead of tonight’s Absa Premiership clash with Moroka Swallows at FNB Stadium, it was put to the former Bidvest Wits skipper that he has become something of a saviour for the club – an assertion he dismissed outright.
“I’m not a messiah,” he said after Amakhosi’s training session in Naturena on Monday. “It’s not about me but the team as whole. It’s team effort.”
He says it is because of their working as a unit that Chiefs are on an eight-match unbeaten league run. And while he admits that goals win matches, he says defence is playing as equally an important role in the fantastic start they’re having. “Communication is very key in our defence, that’s why we are excelling. We know how to deal with high balls, when to press and when to regroup. So we are all contributing.”
Instead of basking in the glory of his latest match-winner, Mashamaite was already thinking of how to get one over the next opponents – a Swallows side in all sorts of trouble and under the guidance of a caretaker coach.
“There’s no time for celebration, that game is dusted off. The focus now is on the Swallows match and we’re going for the three points,” Mashamaite said, matter-of-factly.
While exuding the confidence of a captain in charge of a side that just can’t seem to lose, the lad from Bochum knows only too well the perils of becoming arrogant.
“Yes we’ve got a great start and that’s very humbling. One thing we can’t do is become over-confident. Things won’t fall into place without us working hard.
“We know that all the teams we play against will want to come and frustrate us while trying to runaway with a point. But we are prepared for everything the opposition brings.”
Their winning run notwithstanding, there is a feeling in some quarters that Chiefs aren’t scoring enough goals. Mashamaite, however, feels that if 12 goals in eight matches ensured they are unbeaten and top of the table, then there’s no need to be bothered.
“We’re not worried about that. For us the important thing is that in every match we score more than our opponents.”
Most will no doubt bet on them outscoring Swallows who have shipped in a massive 11 goals in their last four league matches, all of which ended in defeat.
Zeca Marques has left to be replaced by his assistant Fani Madida in a caretaker capacity. And while it will be something of a miracle should Swallows beat Chiefs, having a new man shouting instructions from the bench often has a positive impact on clubs.
Aware of a change of regime, players tend to lift themselves in a bid to impress the new coach. Still, the smart money is on the Amakhosi locomotive to keep moving on. And don’t rule out Mashamaite being the hero.
Other fixtures: FS Stars v AmaZulu; Tuks v Celtic; Ajax v P Stars; Wits v P City; Chippa v Sundowns; SuperSport v Maritzburg - The Star