Shitolo’s chance to shine for Pirates

Gladwin Shitolo's past, present and future collides whenever he arrives for training at Rand Stadium. Photo by: Muzi Ntombela

Gladwin Shitolo's past, present and future collides whenever he arrives for training at Rand Stadium. Photo by: Muzi Ntombela

Published Aug 24, 2016

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Gladwin Shitolo’s past, present and future collides whenever he arrives for training at Rand Stadium.

To get there, the Orlando Pirates centreback drives past Jomo Cosmos’ base which is adjacent Rand Stadium. Shitolo cut his teeth at Ezenkosi. He arrived there as a 17-year-old in 2006 and went up the ranks until the first team. The Buccaneers snapped him up in 2014 but sent him on loan twice, first at Platinum Stars and then Golden Arrows last season.

After impressing in Durban, Pirates recalled him for a season that promises to take the 27-year-old to new heights.

Tonight, at Orlando Stadium, Shitolo’s past, present and future will once again meet when the Buccaneers host Abafana Bes’thende.

“It’s going to be an emotional match for me,” Shitolo said.

“But work is work. I am grateful for what Arrows did for my career.”

In just a matter of weeks working with Pirates’ coach Muhsin Ertugral, Shitolo has moved from a career at crossroads to being tipped as a future Bafana Bafana player. The Turkish mentor holds the lad from Giyani in high regard, describing him as a surprise package who is destined for greatness. He is likely to play a central figure in the Buccaneers defence, as a cool centreback who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.

He refined those skills as a central midfielder, where Arrows used him last season in the 32 matches he played. Justice Chabalala could partner him in central defence with Thabo Matlaba and Thembela Sikhakhane as fullbacks. Ertugral demands that his back four start the attack whenever they win the ball instead of hoofing it forward.

“For me, this shows that I have improved as a player,” Shitolo said.

”Pirates saw something in me for them to recall me from loan just like they saw that something was missing in my game for them to send me there in the first place. I never took that decision personally. I took it as motivation to work even harder and come back as a better player.”

The competition for a place in the starting XI will be intense at Pirates, especially at the back. Ertugral pin-pointed the area as a department that must improve for the side to challenge for honours so that they can celebrate their 80th anniversary next year in style.

“I have been through a lot in my career,” Shitolo said. “I remember those emotionally taxing moments at Cosmos where we were up and down, promoted to the PSL this season and then back to the NFD the next.

“That period toughened me up and made me grow mentally. But what I have seen here at Pirates is that the coach has made me more confident as a player.

“He has made me realise that anything is possible. He has opened my eyes to things that I never imagined doing, like being in the national team. When you have someone who believes in you like that, you make sure that you don’t disappoint him.

“I want to repay the faith he has shown in me. I feel motivated, like this is my time. After the up and down past that I have heard, this is my time because I see a bright future for myself at this club.”

Tonight’s Other Fixtures

Platinum Stars v SuperSport United @ Orlando Stadium, 7.30pm

Celtic v Maritzburg United @ Dr Molemela Stadium, 7.30pm - The Star

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