Cuthbert Malajila says he is reborn, a bit of a cliche used by players who feel they have just been given a new lease on life by moving to a new club.
But the Zimbabwean striker, on the verge of representing his national team at next years Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon following their first qualification since 2006, genuinely means it after spending the previous season as somewhat of a back-up player at Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns despite his obvious talent and proven goal-scoring record.
Bidvest Wits made it clear to the Brazilians that a deal between the two clubs for the services of Sibusiso Vilakazi would be struck only if Malajila, along with Mogakolodi Ngele, went in the opposite direction.
“I had no hesitation,” says Malajila about the move to Wits, who face Orlando Pirates at the Bidvest Stadium in a top-of-the-table league clash today (8.15pm).
“The best thing for a player is always to compete. Sure, you could say the other contributing factor to this transfer was to give myself a fighting chance to make the national team. They can’t pick me if I am not getting any game time.”
Malajila had plenty of reasons to be frustrated at Sundowns, a club that beat stiff competition to land his signature three years ago from Maritzburg United, where he had finished the season as the club’s top scorer with 11 league goals.
Two season later, he found himself further down the pecking order of striking options for coach Pitso Mosimane, but he has two championship medals to show for his hard work at Chloorkop.
It was time to say goodbye and, although Wits have only played six matches in all domestic competitions, Malajila only managing two starts, he finally announced himself by scoring in their 2-0 league victory away to rookies Baroka FC on Tuesday night, having been on the pitch for roughly 10 minutes.
“Not really,” was his response when asked whether kicking his heels on the bench was exasperating, before adding: “But I am a player who always wants to contribute. I don’t want to just sit and get medals.”
He wants to play and he has mileage on him, to borrow a phrase from his new coach Gavin Hunt, who is obsessed with players who have been around the block and have a winning mentality.
“When I am working hard, I want to see how my hard work pays off,” Malajila said.
“So, last season was not like that. I don’t usually want to talk about the past. Right now I feel like I’ve just come from Zimbabwe and working hard to give my all to Wits.
“Already we are in a cup final, which is big for me because I’ve never played in an MTN8 cup final.”
Tonight there’s the small matter of trying to get maximum points against a Pirates side tied with Wits on seven points from three matches.
The Clever Boys made it look easy - also thanks to two howlers from goalkeeper Felipe Ovono - in the 2-1 win when these two teams met almost a month ago at the Bidvest Stadium in the quarter-finals of the cup.
“It’s difficult to refer back to that cup match because it’s in the past, but we have to keep improving. We have a good thing going at Wits and we know our targets.
“All I want is to become better than before.
“That’s why I chose Wits,” said Malajila.
Fixtures
Today: Platinum Stars v Baroka FC, Polokwane City v Highlands Park (both 3pm); Kaizer Chiefs v Maritzburg United (6pm); SuperSport United v Free State Stars, Bidvest Wits v Orlando Pirates (both 8.15pm)
Tomorrow: Bloemfontein Celtic v Golden Arrows (3pm)
Saturday Star