INTERVIEW WITH THANDUYISE KHUBONI
 
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT GOLDEN ARROWS?

"I came through straight from developement, so ive been here for 7 years. I only started playing for the first team in 2007."

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO GET THE RECOGNITION YOU ARE GETTING AT THE MOMENT AND WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AT ARROWS (MTN 8)?

"Honestly! Its an honour. Because it shows that its not about what team you play for, but its about your talent as well as hard work and i feel like my hard work has finally paid off. I also think that Manqoba (PLASMA) had a role in the recognition that im getting, because he's the one that gave me a chance and put me in the team."

WHEN YOU STARTED PLAYING FOR THE FIRST TEAM, YOU HAD TO COMPETE WITH THE LIKES OF PRO GUMBI AND KAGISHO DIKGACOI. DID YOU EVER FEEL LIKE GIVING UP?

"No! I love those kinds of situations (being under pressure), because for me they make me want to work harder. I wont lie, in the beginning I had little hope of ever getting game time, but watching Pro Gumbi and Kagisho Dikgacoi play made me want to push myself. But when Coach Manqoba came into the picture i had more hope of playing. Because he believed in youngsters and believed in giving them a chance to play."

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO GET REGULAR CALL UPS TO THE NATIONAL SQUAD?

" When they first called me up, I didnt believe it at first. But when they called me up the 2nd time i was happy"

BEING NAMED MAN OF THE MATCH IN YOUR FIRST GAME FOR BAFANA MUST HAVE BEEN VERY EXCITING. HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU GOT THE AWARD FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A ROW?

" First time i got Man of the Match for my first International game I didnt believe it, even while i was being interviewed it hadnt sunk in yet. Then when i got it the second time I was Exstatic, it gave me hope and a little bit of reasurance that i would be in the 29 man sqaud that would be travelling to brazil"

HOW HAVE THE OTHER BAFANA PLAYERS TREATED YOU?

" I know most of the players,because i use to play with them in the U23. So it was easy to fit in"

WHO WOULD YOU WISH WAS STILL ALIVE TO SEE HOW YOU ARE PLAYING NOW AND ALL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED?

"Two people, my dad and Rocky Madlala. Because those were the two people i was closest with, and they both played a major role in my life and football career. Rocky never gave up on me and he believed in me, and because of him i pushed myself to be a better player. My dad was my best friend, he did everything he could to help me persue my career"