One of the endearing images of The Amakhosi’s campaign during the 2005 – 2006 season was that of a clearly drained David Obua clutching onto the ABSA Cup trophy, after Chiefs had defeated their arch rivals Orlando Pirates via the penalty shoot out to win the 2006 ABSA Cup back in May.

The ABSA Cup came at the end of a season in which Obua shone above the rest as he put on a number of matching winning displays, amongst which were his heroics in both of last season's Soweto derby’s against Pirates. It was his performances against Pirates last term that earned him a place in the history books as he scored in both league games against the Buccaneers; in addition it helped him become a fan favourite.

Obua, as a result of his heroics against Pirates managed to win a special place in the hearts of the Chiefs fans; he finished off the 2005 – 2006 season by walking away with a number of awards from the clubs awards ceremony including the coveted “player of the year” award.

Chiefs Ugandan international has quickly learnt that in football you are as good as your last game, as he has become the target of abuse from a number of fans as he has not shown the same kind of form recently that he did last season. Having missed Chiefs match against Cosmos last weekend as he had a bout of flu, the rumour mill was churning and his current dip in form was blamed for Obua’s omission.

With a match against an Ajax Cape Town team on top of their game this Saturday, Obua has laboured hard over the past week and is hoping to get a starting berth against the league leaders and is looking to outshine The Urban Warriors.

Speaking on Friday Obua said “over the past couple of weeks there have been some difficult moments for me, as I do not feel that I was putting on the kind of performances that I know I am capable of, I needed to work on my game and I feel that I have turned my back on my bad game days”.

The prospect of playing against Ajax Cape Town has put the spring back into Obua’s step and Chiefs big game man is looking forward towards making an impact against Ajax on Saturday evening.

Obua added “Ajax have been playing well and deserve to be top of the league. I think that we can catch up to them on Saturday. Personally I am determined to give my best should I play against them. The coach has been good to me and so have the guys. They have given me a lot of encouragement and have given me a helping hand in helping me get to the top of my game again”.

While David Obua has been hard at work finding his feet again he did so to his own admission with the assistance of a number of his teammates, Obua’s fellow midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi reached out and helped Obua overcome his trough in form.

Nkosi said “during the Benoni Premier United game I spoke to him as we walked off the field at half time and I told Obua not to worry about the fans who were harassing him during that half. The thing is we have all had bad days; the way we have got out of them is with the help of the support group around us. As teammates we need to help each other out. I felt it was my duty to help David get over his down spell - if we cannot rely on our teammates to stand by us then who will stand by us”.

There has been a further hand stretched out to Obua from another of Chiefs on-form players Tinashe Nengomasha who said, “I understand what David has gone through recently. Last season my game was not up to scratch and believe me it was hard to read the newspaper or listen to the radio as there were not good things being said about me. Had it not had been for the support and assistance I received from a number of mates such as Cyril Nzama and Derrick Spencer, it would have not been so easy for me to have bounced back in the manner that I have. Life as a soccer player especially if you are not on form can be a very lonely one, so it is important that we stick together that is why we call ourselves a team”.

Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp has welcomed his players supporting each other and commented “as a team it is important for us to stick together, and for us to be successful as a unit we need to help one another through thick and thin. A year ago life was very different for David. I know and he knows what he is capable of, together he and I are confident that he will play a big part for us as we challenge for numerous honours over the next few months”.

With a resurgent David Obua in his team, Ernst Middendorp will be hopeful that his charges will be able to stretch Ajax Cape Town all the way on Saturday evening.

A lot will rest on Obua and his midfield counterparts to help Chiefs charge to victory over Ajax.

Obua along with Nkosi and Nengomasha will carry the torch for Chiefs at Loftus on Saturday evening in a game where the battle for midfield supremacy could determine who will be top of the PSL come Saturday evening.