The two sides will again meet 4 days later this time at Bidvest Stadium in the Nedbank Last 16.

“JD” as the player is affectionately known is a product of Wits University academy that produced a lot of youngsters in the 90s.

Having done well for the development side, Josta was fast tracked to the Colts and reserve teams before being promoted to the senior team by Eddie Lewis, also a former Kaizer Chiefs mentor.

Speaking to kaizerchiefs.com on Thursday afternoon he looked back at his career at Wits University (now Bidvest Wits University), “I never took the chance I was presented at Wits for granted,”

“I was young and eager to grab my chance. I worked hard as I had to repay the Club for the faith they had in me as a youngster,” reflected Josta Dladla now at the prime of his career.

“I was promoted by Eddie Lewis but made my debut for the first team under John Lathan. The Club was trying to change the style of play and they liked what they saw in me as a player,”

“When I joined Wits,they had tough guys like Peter Gordon, Chancy Gondwe, Lawrence Masegela& then later Stanton (Fredricks) and many others. These guys used to kick everything that came across them,” he said laughing.

“Roger has now assembled a very good team of skilful players. Their style has changed a lot as compared to the time I was there. They have a player like Stanton who is one of the best players that the country has produced.

He and Junaid Hartley are a unique breed in South Africa. You can see the way that team is playing that he brings a lot of experience and confidence in the team. Roger Da Sa has also given the team a lot of freedom and you can see the way they are attacking,” said Dladla.

Chiefs’ no. 9 is fully aware that his former Club has a lot of say on how Chiefs finish both in the league and in the Nedbank Cup this season, “I have a lot of respect for Wits but, we are desperate for points. We want to win the league and we know that we can no longer afford to drop any points at this stage of the season,”

“We are going to Mbombela Stadium with one thing in mind a win. We have been working hard at training and everyone is looking forward to this game. We also face them 4 days later in the Nedbank Cup which makes things even more interesting,” added Dladla.

Kick off for the Absa Premiership fixture is at 19:30.