Sifiso Hlanti, a defender for the Kaizer Chiefs, is ecstatic to be playing again after missing much of the previous season due to injury.
Hlanti spent the previous season on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles tendon while on loan at Swallows FC.
Stuart Baxter was fired as Chiefs’ coach as a result of their fifth-place finish in the Premiership rankings during his absence.
Since Baxter was removed, Arthur Zwane has led the squad to two league victories, three defeats, and so far, the MTN8 semifinals.
As Chiefs defeated Stellenbosch FC on penalties in the MTN8 quarterfinals, Hlanti made his maiden comeback to the field.
Even though Amakhosi surrendered in the second half as a result of Njabulo Ngcobo’s error, the 32-year-old left-back gave excellent effort at left-back.
After being sidelined for so long, it wasn’t ideal at all. Given how upsetting it was for me, there was a little bit of a struggle, Hlanti said.
“I obviously like the game. And I started to feel different at some point after the occurrence. But at the same time, I had to handle the circumstance.
It was among them. But after being out for six to seven months, I am happy to be back. It’s a privilege. I’m glad to be back as well.
During the offseason, the Chiefs had a major clean out, with several veteran players departing the team and being replaced by younger players.
Edmilson Dove, a versatile player born in Mozambique who can play both left defender and left centre back, was one of the new hires.
Hlanti, who will be fighting with Dove for a position in the starting lineup, claims that he is not scared by Dove and really welcomes his presents to the Chiefs.
“I embrace challenges and am a strong person. I want to imagine myself in that situation anytime there is a hurdle, Hlanti stated.
“I was optimistic (when they signed him). The more talented players the club signs, the more likely it is that we’ll accept them as players.
Silverware is one of the good contributions that the players need to provide to the team this year, particularly after suffering through a seven-year trophy drought.
But to do that, the club will need to consistently win games.
They will be keen to start putting this achievement into practise with their encounter against AmaZulu.
On Saturday, Chiefs will play host to AmaZulu at Stadium FNB with the knowledge that they would suffer at the back if they continue to make careless errors.
Thanks to the heroics of their front three, Bongi Ntuli, Augustine Kwem, and Gadinhho Mhango, AmaZulu has been a sharpshooter in recent weeks.
“Considering the manner they’ve handled the season, I believe they are in terrific shape as a squad. They are doing well, according to Hllanti.
“We shouldn’t assume that. However, we are fully aware that we also have talented players. For this next game, we are ready to make things happen.
We can’t hide from the team errors we’ve made because that’s how we improve and learn from them. That cannot be taken away.
Before facing off in the MTN8 semifinals next month, Chiefs and AmaZulu will use their encounter on Saturday as a practise.