“The reception we get here is great,” reacts Kaizer Chiefs left-back Tsepo Masilela when seeing all the people that came out to greet the Absa Premiership champions when they were hosted at the Barclays Towers West in the centre of Johannesburg on Wednesday afternoon. “It makes us happy, we feel privileged.”

Amakhosi’s full squad went to the headquarters of Barclays Africa to recognise league sponsor Absa. “As a sponsor, we couldn’t be more happy with Kaizer Chiefs winning the Absa Premiership,” says Barclays Africa Head of Marketing David Wingfield. “They are the biggest club in South Africa. It’s always great if they win it.”

The players signed autographs for the about 5 000 employees at the headquarters.

Chiefs goalkeeper Itumuleng Khune had even brought his three league medals with him: 2004/2005, 2012/2013 and 2014/2015. “It’s a great occasion,” he comments. “It’s an opportunity to interact with our supporters.”

“Normally they see us from far, because we are on the field and they are in the stands. We see how excited they are. We have received memories today that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.”

On why Khune decided to take the three medals with him, he proudly stresses: “I broke through in 2004, joining the first team at the age of 17. Rowen Fernandez was the No 1 goalkeeper at the time. Who would have thought that this kid from Ventersdorp would become part of history of this great Club, having now already won three league trophies.”

Kgaogelo Tshehla works as a risk officer for Absa. He’s an Amakhosi supporter with his favourite player being Masilela: “He is a professional, he’s consistent and he’s a winner!”

Another employee is Innocentia Lekgotho. “It’s so nice we won the league title,” she says. “The players are all so friendly. The best, however, is Tefu Mashamaite. He’s just so good.”