Ex-Kaizer Chiefs prospect Xolani Mabaso has admitted that he took things for granted when he was a promising youngster at Naturena.
Mabaso reveals how hype affected him at Kaizer Chiefs
40-year-old Xolani ‘Touch’ Mabaso has revealed that a level of complacency slipped into his game when he was surrounded by big names at the club, admitting that a lack of maturity undermined his stint with the Naturena giants. He has been without a club since 2018 when he left Mbombela United. Via SoccerLaduma:
“I would like to believe so, that there was that element of lacking here and there at times. As footballers, sometimes we can be ignorant. Chiefs had the cream of the crop in their team at the time, and just by being part of the group, I expected things to just happen for me,” Mabaso told SL.
“When that didn’t happen, I started asking myself questions as to why I wasn’t playing instead of working harder to show that I deserved to play,” he added.
“But that’s life, and some things we can’t change. Towards the end of my time with Chiefs, I wasn’t happy, and once you are not happy, you can hardly achieve anything, not just in football but in life. My situation affected my performance levels, and that was it. Disappointing,” Mabaso concluded.
Stellies up next for Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs are dealing with a laundry list of injuries, but several players are on the comeback trail soon. Striker Flavio Silva is back in training alongside Khanyisa Mayo, who has recovered after a hernia operation. 21-year-old winger Langelihle Phili is also nearing a return after a serious ankle injury he sustained in late August during training. Phili could return for the club’s home match against Stellenbosch on Tuesday 13 October, which kicks off at 19:30.
