After making his senior Amakhosi debut as a 75th-minute substitute against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Tuesday, 21-year-old midfielder, Thulani Mabaso spoke exclusively to www.kaizerchiefs.com just before departing for Zambia, where Chiefs will face Zesco United in a TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group D encounter on Sunday.

Who is Thulani Mabaso?
I am a boy from Soweto, Meadowlands. I began playing for Meadowlands Academy in their development ranks. Then, I was at Stars of Africa for a few months and Coach Tshidiso Letsholonyane spoke to my father and then asked if I wanted to join them or stay where I was. I chose Chiefs and started playing the U15s.

From the U15s, I was promoted to U17 and the U19s, where I only played a few games. We participated in the provincial Engen tournament and, after winning it, we went on to win the Engen Champ of Champs. From there, I went straight to the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC).

I started in the DDC team at age 17. Coach Vela (Khumalo) introduced me into the team gradually and in my first two seasons, I didn’t play much, but then I broke into the team and got more game time.

On touring overseas with the DDC team:

The trip to the UK was an amazing experience. I learned a great deal by seeing the differences between Europe and South Africa. I told myself that whatever I learn overseas, I must use back home, and it has already brought improvements to my game.

On being part of Chiefs’ pre-season camp in Europe:

Travelling on the pre-season tour to the Netherlands was also very good for me. To be around experienced players helped me to understand what it takes to be a professional footballer. In football, you never stop learning so I am grateful to have been there to pick up some tips that I will carry forward. It was a good tour. I was happy to get a chance to play and prove that I am capable of playing at the highest level.

On making his senior debut for Amakhosi:

I think everyone knows that playing for Chiefs is everyone’s dream. From the moment I stepped on the pitch I thought, “just believe in yourself”, because in life sometimes you only get one chance so I have to make the most of it.

On his endearing celebrations with a group of spectators afterwards:

Those were some of my coaches and teammates from Meadowlands Academy when I was about 12 years old, who came to support me. It was really emotional, a great feeling, seeing them there to support me. It is something you can’t really explain. It reminds you of where you come from. A special moment that will remain in my heart forever.

On his ambitions:

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. 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 as us. I promise to work my hardest to help us to put some silverware in the trophy cabinet.