Siyabonga Nhlapo of SuperSport United during the MTN 8, quarter final match between Bidvest Wits and SuperSport United at Bidvest Stadium on August 18, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Nhlapo joined United from Bidvest Wits in July 2017 after he was deemed surplus to requirements at the Clever Boys.
With injuries slowing down his progress each season, Nhlapo is happy he has managed to stay injury-free this season.
“When I got to Supersport I got to settle and when coach Kaitano took over the team he went back to the club’s old playing style, much like how they played under coach Stuart Baxter,” Nhlapo told Phakaaathi.
“The past two seasons have been about adaptation for me and nursing injuries and never having a proper pre-season because I would be out with an injury.
“This was my first pre-season where I didn’t have an injury and this season I understood the style of play at United and knew what I was needed for and what my role is.
“In South Africa, you play games and it seems like you are a bad signing if you don’t contribute as expected but people don’t understand you have three years on your contract and the three years is also for the process of adapting and is taking more than two years is for you to understand.
“Credit to the club and management for showing faith and believing that their investment will pay off in the future. Even with youngsters they are given a chance to mature and this season they have been patient with me and I am paying them back.”
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
