Dladla eyes MTN8 glory
There is something that evokes both passion and inspiration in ‘comeback’ stories – that of people who emerge from the oblivion and engineer a move back to the top. And, Kaizer Chiefs midfield maestro Josta Dladla has been busy lately scripting his own journey that has seen him grab the headlines this season.
On Saturday as Kaizer Chiefs take on Orlando Pirates in the final of the MTN8 at the majestic Soccer City Stadium, Dladla’s reincarnation can take a new shape and form.
In his mind – in his own modest words – he is convinced that Chiefs can defeat their arch rivals and neighbours, Pirates. But in a cautious tone, he warns against over-confidence. Pirates, after all, have also been playing fluent football lately.
“We are going to this game as underdogs. Pirates have been playing well lately and we are aware of that. It’s a final, we want to do well, but you never know.
I will be lying if I say I’m not nervous, it’s a final, we want the silverware,” Dladla told PSL.co.za.
In a way, he feels it is time for him to finally repay the patience afforded to him by both club and supporters. “I think it’s time for me to start winning things for the team as they have been good to me including the supporters.”
In the last few weeks, the former Mamelodi Sundowns player has reinvented himself – from the player the fans barely mentioned to a goal machine that has shouldered Kaizer Chiefs’ goalscoring responsibilities. He has netted four goals so far – in both league and cup matches lately.
It is probably not an exaggeration to suggest that Dladla will be a key jigsaw in coach, Vladimir Vermezovic’s puzzle. He has already played a vital role in engineering the passage to the final for the Glamour Boys.
“Hopefully, I will continue scoring those goals. Obviously we have to go out there as a team, playing for each other. If it’s your time, it’s your time. I’m just fortunate at the moment, scoring four goals, right now the focus is to stay healthy and fit. However, as an individual, I can’t win games, there are lot more players at Kaizer Chiefs who are capable of winning games. If they concentrate on me, that’s ok – Shabalala can score, Parker can score,” he added.
What is apparent is that he now has a new role at Chiefs and he is no longer a squad member in the oblivion. Dladla made the switch from Mamelodi Sundowns to Kaizer Chiefs two years ago. However, the Johannesburg-born experienced mixed fortunes in Naturena.
This week, he spent time recounting a heartbreaking affair when he was on the losing side in the final for the same competition. He was still with Sundowns then and ironically, it was Chiefs who had inflicted the defeat on Sundowns in 2008.
In more than many ways, the MTN8 final on Saturday will be an important stage of Dladla’s journey to affirm his latest appetite for goals.
Kick off is at 20h15.