The Venezuelan born has found it difficult to recapture a form he displayed early this season where he was one of the key players as Chiefs won the MTN 8 inaugural Cup. At some stage he had to sit out due to back injury but returned in mid February.

“I needed a goal to lift my confidence,” he told kaizerchiefs.com.

Jose Torrealba has been a victim of unruly fans who have been giving him tough time in the past couple of weeks.

“I am a professional and my focus has always been doing well for the team. The fans all over the world do vent their anger to certain players when things are not going well. I am thankful to my teammates who have supported me throughout this time.

You could see their faces when I scored on Saturday. That helps, it lifts you as a player when you know that your teammates and everyone in the bench are behind you,” he said.

“Mini Cooper” as Jose is affectionately known to Kaizer Chiefs faithful said he was looking forward to the next game against Tuks, “It is a very important game for all of us. If we are to challenge strongly for the Nedbank Cup then we have to go through on Saturday. The talk about playing first division team has not really affected our preparations. We taking this game very seriously,” he added.