Kobamelo Kodisang, admits it was an unpleasant feeling watching Bidvest Wits succumb to a poor run of form while out with a knee injury.
The 18-year was out from October after hurting his knee at training. His injury meant he missed the team’s Telkom Knockout Cup triumph, after the Braamfontein-based side edged Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 courtesy of a Vincent Pule strike at Princess Magogo Stadium in the final.
However, in the league, not all went smoothly in Kodisang’s absence, the defending Absa Premiership championships dropping 23 points out of a possible 33.
“Being in the stands it’s hard because you feel bad when the team is losing. I felt like I should go and help my team win, but at the end of the day there’s nothing I can do," he said.
“Now I just have to push myself to get back and not think too much about the injury. I am not 100 percent fit but I’ll try to work harder to get back to my full fitness level. I’ll push on the side and do some extra training so that I am fully fit again.’’
The Seraleng-born player made his way back into action in the Wits reserve team’s 2-1 loss to Orlando Pirates on Sunday. Kodisang managed to play 60 minutes.
Since Kodisang's spell on the sidelines, Wits head coach Gavin Hunt has made some changes, releasing Bokang Thlone and the experienced Steven Pienaar and bringing in Lehlohonolo Majoro, Edwin Gyimah, Thobani Mncwango and Denis Weidlich, with winger Sifiso Myeni recalled from his loan spell at SuperSport United as the strugglers looks to climb up the table.
Kodisang believes the new acquisitions will prove their value.
“The arrival of the new players in the team, makes us think positive because we believe that they can give us something,’’ he said.
“From their former respective clubs, they have been doing well. I think they will boost our confidence going forward. For instance, with Majoro, he’s been doing well, so it’s just a matter of time before he scores those important goals.’’
Despite being side-lined for almost three months, Kodisang says his personal targets haven’t changed.
“I’ll still keep my mind in the right balance, set my goals and not make them disappear. I’ll continue to think the way I was thinking before I got injured.
“I obviously wanted to achieve more than I have, win more titles with the team. I also targeted becoming player of the season as that would have made it easier for me to go and play overseas."