CAPE TOWN – He was nervous when told by coach Steve Komphela that he was going to make his Kaizer Chiefs first team debut against Maritzburg United.
But Khotso Malope took the pressure in his stride, and was one of the stars in the Amakhosi’s 2-0 victory over the Team of Choice at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday night.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who has come through Chiefs’ youth development structures, finally got his big break after first featuring on loan at Moroka Swallows and then last season at Thando Royal Zulu in their march to the NFD title.
Malope told the Kaizer Chiefs website on Friday that Komphela had told him on Monday to “be ready for Wednesday”.
The midfielder said: “I was nervous when I heard that. (But) I was looking forward to start in an official match for Chiefs.
“We played against Maritzburg according to the coach’s instructions. It was a dream start.”
Chiefs are next in action on Saturday night against Golden Arrows at the FNB Stadium (8pm kickoff), and Malope will hope to get more game time against Abafana Bes’thende.
Mini Press Conference. Kaizer Chiefs will take on Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Saturday 23 September. Kick off is at 20h00 #Amakhosi4Life pic.twitter.com/rwDu7yIciQ
— Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) September 21, 2017
“From here on, I will take it one game at a time. For the moment, I am happy that we beat Maritzburg.”
@ashfakmohamed