Sandile Mthethwa reaping rewards at Orlando Pirates

Having joined Pirates in 2016 from the KwaZulu-Natal academy, the former junior international defender spent six years on loan at Richards Bay in the NFD and Chippa United. Mthethwa who had initially signed with a Portuguese side CS Maritimo before joining Pirates, is happy to be part of the Bucs family.

"I'm so happy to be part of this club and I think it happened at the right moment. I don't have to complain about the years I've been out of the club. I'm just happy that the season when I came back home [Orlando Pirates] I am able to play two finals," he said.

Asked by SABC Sport how it feels to finally make the squad and have the coach believe in him, Mthethwa says he had been preparing himself for this moment in training.

"With the minutes that I'm getting, it's like I've been playing the whole season. For me, I'm just grateful and happy with the chances that I get. I was always waiting for the chances that I'm getting, that's why I was working hard at training so that whenever the opportunity comes, I'm here to showcase my talent."

The Nedbank Cup was crucial to Mthethwa this season, as he got his first run at the club in this tournament. Playing alongside Thapelo Xoki, they kept a clean sheet as they beat Motsepe Foundation Championship side All Stars 2-0 in the last 32 stage. He’s never looked back, playing in a total of 12 matches in all competitions ever since.

"I'd say yes, this cup [Nedbank Cup] has shown a lot in me and also it has given me a chance. Maybe with the moments that I had in the cup, scoring the winning penalty and scoring against Kaizer Chiefs. It was always about going there and helping the club, it wasn't just about me."