A Warrior who became a Leopard

hope to atone for a poor run in the Absa Premiership this season.
Herald Sports Reporter Eddie Chikamhi (EC) caught up with the Zimbabwe international striker (KN) in Polokwane and discussed wide ranging issues which include his battle against injury, Leopards’ preparations for the Confederation Cup and their chances of survival this season.
Nkhata has just recovered from an ankle injury and scored a brace in the club’s 3-4 defeat away to Ajax Cape Town in their last game before the Premiership break.

EC: Black leopards have just moved to Polokwane from Louis Tritchardt, how are you coping with the change?
KN: We are still trying to settle down in Polokwane as a team because we are still in the process of shifting our base from Louis Trichardt, which is a few kilometres from here. We are hoping to establish a strong support base among the locals.
EC: How passionate are the supporters here?
KN: Usually the matches are poorly attended and we only get big crowds when playing these established teams. Premier Soccer League sides Kaizer Chiefs and SuperSport United sometimes use Peter Mokaba for their home games. The people here love football but in most cases it’s these big clubs that draw them to the stadiums most of the times.
EC: You will be playing in Africa this year, how do you see the challenge as a player?
KN: I have never played in the Caf club competitions before but I believe playing in Africa is a big challenge because the game is at a higher level. You have to adopt a different approach since the opponents you face in Africa are not the same as those you are used to play with week in week out. Generally we are preparing well for it.
EC: The South African Premiership is on a long break, how are you keeping in shape with no league games going on?
KN: We have been playing friendly matches during the break and recently we played Bay United, then CAPS United and Power Dynamos of Zambia. We are also hoping to play another practice game with Thembisa to keep in shape.
EC: You have been playing these games while your opponents (Motor Action) were off-season, do you think this will give you an upper hand?
KN: Motor Action are a good team and we will not take the match lightly. Everyone is serious about that game and, generally, in such a tournament as this one the approach is very important. If you look closely there isn’t much to separate our type of play to that of Zimbabwean football although I think South African game has a little bit of pace. We may have better fitness but it’s important that you don’t have to underrate any team in football.
EC: You last played in the national team in 2010 against Brazil, with many youngsters now cropping up and pushing for places do you think you still stand a chance for another call up?
KN: I am still around because now I am 26 years. I hope to play as long as I am injury-free and in good health. I am concentrating on my game and if the call-up comes, obviously I will embrace it. Who wouldn’t want to play for the national team?
EC: You haven’t been playing regularly for your team due to injury, what is the position now?
KN: I got injured around September and had to miss about five league matches and two cup games. However, I am fully recovered now and I played and scored two goals in our last outing to Ajax Cape Town on December 22. We lost 4-3 though, but it was a good game and they had to fight hard from behind.
EC: Currently Leopards are sitting second from bottom, how do you rate the chances of surviving the chop this season?
KN: It’s true we are not at a good position in the log table. But the good thing is that the league is only at the halfway stage. Hopefully when we resume this month there will be some change in fortunes. I believe we have a good chance to survive relegation as long as we avoid dropping points unnecessarily. We can only move away from the relegation zone by collecting points. We are not very far off.
EC: How long are you still with Leopards?
KN: I came to Leopards last year from Free State Stars on a two-year contract. So far I’ve played eight games and scored four goals. I am looking forward to better performances this season because I am convinced I still have a lot to offer at Leopards.
EC: Are you enjoying the lifestyle in Polokwane?
KN: I can’t complain much about the lifestyle because I am here for work. So I just regard it as such and I am enjoying it.
EC: How do you spend your spare time?
KN: I have been here for almost a year and I get along well with almost everyone. My best friends, though, are the captain Mongezi Bobe, Posnett Omony and Bafana Sibeko. The guys are fabulous and we always hang around together and at times we go out for braai.
EC: What comparisons can you make between South Africa and in Zimbabwe?
KN: Football is just the same everywhere. Probably the major difference between Zimbabwe and South Africa is funding and the facilities. It’s a bit more professional here and there are better facilities compared to Zimbabwe.