admin season from Jomo Cosmos and the striker is confident that he can use his past experience in the PSL to score goals this season.
Mynhardt, on the other hand, was part of The Chance initiative by Kaizer Chiefs’ technical sponsors Nike, a unique global talent search that gives amateur footballers a chance to prove themselves on the elite stage and take their game to the next level, and that is exactly what this exciting prospect has done. The two players speak to the Amakhosi Magazine about their different journeys to the Club.
Question: Welcome to Kaiser Chiefs Matthew, what does it mean to you to be part of the biggest club in the country?
Matthew Rusike: It is a nice feeling to be here, it is actually an honour for me to be part of this great football institution because this is by far the biggest club in the country. I hope that my time here is long and that I can make an impact.
Qn: How did your move to the club come about?
MR: Well, initially it was meant to be a loan deal from Jomo Cosmos, but then my contract at Cosmos had come to an end. Bobby Motaung (Kaizer Chiefs Football Manager) actually spoke to my father about a move to Chiefs and there was this wel- publicised legal dispute between Chiefs and Cosmos regarding who I belonged to and thankfully in the end things worked out correctly and I am completely happy where I am.
Qn: How would you describe your first day at the club with the rest of your teammates? What was it like?
MR: Honestly, it was very intimidating being amongst all these guys, these top players in the PSL. Seeing guys who play for Bafana Bafana like Itumeleng Khune and Siphiwe Tshabalala in person was definitely overwhelming, but I won’t relax because I have arrived at the level I want to be at and I want to work hard to get into the team.
Qn: What type of a player are you?
MR: I am an attacking player. I always want to impose myself on opposition defenders. I am also a team player, I like to create opportunities for my teammates and score a few goals myself.
Qn: What have the senior players or technical team told you to expect as a Chiefs player?
MR: They told me that I did not come here by mistake and that this is a team of quality players and that I should keep my feet firmly on the ground and work harder than before.
Qn: There was a contractual dispute with your former club wen Chiefs first signed you and they fought to have you as part of the team. How does that make you feel ast it shows they value your talent?
MR: It is a comforting feeling for me because it shows that the Club really wanted me, to go to such lengths but that means I should repay the Club by performing well on the field
Qn: How was life at Cosmos compared to Chiefs?
MR: It was not bad at all. At Cosmos there was less pressure on me to perform because it is not as big a club as Chiefs and also at Chiefs the facilities are world class and the expectations are higher, but the mandate to win still stays the same because it is still the same league.
Qn: The likes of Parker, Majoro and Nkhatha have done well so far this season. Do you feel you have a mountain to climb before cementing a place in the team?
MR: I don’t look at it as a mountain to climb, but rather I am patiently waiting for my opportunity. I am glad the guys are doing well because the best interests of the team should come first before personal glory. I just hope that when I get my opportunity I will use it to the fullest.
Qn: What do you think has contributed to our great start to the league campaign, but less pleasing results in cup competitions?
MR: The nature of the game has changed these days, but we approach every game with the same intensity. It can be due to lack of luck, but in some fixtures we had most of our players on international duty and they did not have enough time to recuperate and prepare for some of the matches, especially the game against Wits in theTelkom Knockout.
Qn: Being from Zimbabwe does it help having Zimbabwean players in the team?
MR: It made it easier for me to blend in with the rest of the team because I knew guys like Lincoln Zvayisa from way back and having some of my compatriots helps me to feel at home.
Qn: What are your personal targets for this season?
MR: As a player you always want to play as many games as possible and help the team to do well and win trophies.
Qn: How did you feel playing in the Macufe Cup for Chiefs in front of a capacity crowd?
MR: It was awesome! Playing in front of that crowd is what a professional footballer lives for and when I came in at half time the coach said I was going to score and I proved him right by finding the back of the net.
Qn: Why haven’t you seen more game time?
MR: Unlike my teammates I missed pre-season with the guys, so the coach will gradually introduce me to the playing team as the season goes on.
Qn: Any message for the Chiefs supporters?
MR: They must continue to fill those stadiums and show us more love because we know that they are our pillar of strength. — Amakhosi.
Online Reporter