“There is a lot of quality in the team,” comments new signee Enocent Mkhabela. “The competition is high here, the guys are taking their job serious at Chiefs.”

The Amakhosi had a ten-day training camp in Mpumalanga. Ironically, Mkhabela hails from Naas township, which is just outside Nelspruit.

“It was good to be in my backyard,” he reacts with a big smile on his face. “I couldn’t visit my family due to the tight schedule at camp, but it was good to be in my home province.”

“So far so good,” says Mkhabela about life as an Amakhosi so far. “Everybody welcomed the new players warmly. The set-up here is professional and the players know how to deal with the newly signed ones.”

The midfielder also spoke about his admiration for the one-time Chiefs midfield kingpin Tinashe Nengomashe: “I always admired Tinashe for his immense work rate. As a youngster I always wished to play for Chiefs. Tinashe’s role inspired me to work hard to reach my goal of becoming an Amakhosi.”

The former Supersport United midfielder (jersey number 6), Mkhabele adds, “I am very excited to be part of Chiefs. I wish to repay the club with hard work and dedication to my work.”

Mkhabela (27) is a defensive midfielder with an exceptional passing skill: “I am comfortable in the midfield, in the defensive role… I will play wherever the coach decides to deploy me.”

“At the camp we were introduced to the Chiefs way,” continues Mkhabela. “Uppermost is the professionalism at Chiefs. The supporters always expect both a good performance and a positive result. I don’t think I will struggle with pressure. I am aware that we have to approach all the games as cup finals.”

Mkhabela also explained that his family members are ardent Chiefs supporters: “I haven’t been able to spend much time back at home with my family due to work commitment. However, through telephone calls with family and friends, the expectations are high. Everyone is happy and they can’t wait to see me running on the pitch in a Gold & Black kit. I am living a dream.”

“I will not let this excitement deter me from my goal of adding value to the team,” concludes Mkhabela.