Mabaso Reacts On His First Team Debut

Kaizer Chiefs young player Thulani Mabaso opens up about his thrilling debut for Amakhosi’s first team, sharing his emotions and aspirations after taking a major step in his burgeoning football career.

The young player joined Amakhosi at the age of 15 and was signed from Stars of Africa, then started to play in Chiefs’ DStv Diski Challenge team at the age of 17.

The Amakhosi academy graduate helped the Phefeni Glamour Boys’ reserve team win their first DStv Diski Challenge title as captain last season.

Following that, Chiefs decided to travel with the young player on their preseason tour in the Netherlands.

Despite traveling to the Netherlands, the 21-year-old had to wait to make his first team debut, as he had been playing in the DDC team in the first round of the season.

This year, Amakhosi decided to give the youngster his first team contract, and he made his debut in their 1-0 victory against Golden Arrows at FNB Stadium on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Chiefs media department, the former Chiefs’ DDC captain revealed how special it is to play for Amakhosi.

“I think everyone knows that playing for Chiefs is everyone’s dream,” Mabaso said. 

“From the moment I stepped on the pitch, I told myself that I have to believe in myself because in life, sometimes you only get one chance, so I have to make the most of it.”

Mabaso is set to play his second game for Amakhosi and also his first game in the CAF competition, as he is included in Chiefs’ squad that traveled to Zambia to face ZESCO United in the third game of the CAF Confederation Cup group stage match on Sunday.

As the youngster now plays for the first team and is set to make his debut in the CAF, he added about his ambitions with Amakhosi.

“I want to win trophies for Kaizer Chiefs because this is a big club, a winning team, so we have to win cups and make our fans happy,” Mabaso added.

“Our supporters spend their hard-earned money, sometimes their last cent, to come and watch us, and we have to give our all on the pitch for them as well. I promise to work my hardest to help us put some silverware in the trophy cabinet.”

Mabaso and Chiefs have three titles left to grab this season.

Amakhosi have a chance to win the Betway Premiership, Confederation Cup, and Nedbank Cup, while in the Carling Knockout, they were eliminated early, and in the MTN8, they didn’t participate, as last season they finished outside the top eight of the league.