Kgotso Moleko can’t wait to win some silverware with Amakhosi

After being overlooked by three coaches during his time at Kaizer Chiefs, Kgotso Moleko has proven to be the prodigal son who has returned home under the tutelage of Ernst Middendorp.

Middendorp took over the coaching post at Amakhosi last month, and quickly rang the changes as he brought Moleko back into the first team set-up after he had been demoted to the reserves by Giovanni Solinas. Moleko has grabbed the opportunity with both hands and fitted like a glove in his usual right-back position in the absence of Ramahlwe Mphahlele, who was out with a long-term injury.

“I can say that I’ve been ready and it’s good to be back,” said the man who failed to break into Stuart Baxter, Steve Komphela and Solinas’ teams. “But it’s not only about me because there are quite a lot of guys that were sidelined, but now they are happy that they are getting a little bit of training and game time. He (Middendorp) came at the right time because some of us were not playing, but it’s football. (Now that he is here), everyone is happy at the village. For the coach to bring everyone back to the team, brought a little bit of light and confidence.”

Mphahlele is back at training after that spell on the sidelines, but by the rate at which Middendorp has grown fond of Moleko, the Bafana Bafana player will have to work harder to regain his spot. The German tactician has been the actual opposite of his predecessor Solinas who gave players special attentions - by bowing down to them or insisting that they form all the building blocks of the teams.

“It’s not about who’s scoring for us, or who the goalkeeper is but he just trusts what he has,” the former Bloemfontein Celtic player said. “He just adds confidence and talent to already what everyone one has. So, I’d just say he’s a good father to everyone at the village. If a coach treats everyone right, then every player will fight for him. For him to be here, I think it’s good for the club.”

Moleko though is aware that for everyone to finally understand their purpose at the cub, they have to win silverware.

Embarrassingly so, the last time they achieved that feat was three years ago under the tenure of Baxter. While, this season might be heading towards its business end, there is still the Nedbank Cup and the PSL title up for grabs. Chiefs will open their Nedbank Cup account against ABC Motsepe side Tornado FC on Sunday at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

“I can’t wait to win something, because I think that will bring a good feeling to everyone at the club. But sometimes it’s good if it’s not your time for winning. So that you must try to build, and rebuild on whatever that you have and move forward,” Moleko said. “For now, we must try to win this Cup. Personally, I feel like the league is still open because there are about 12-13 games to go. So if we can get 10 successive wins, I think we can win this league. We just have to be consistent regardless of what other teams are doing.”