Posted in News, Team News on Aug 17, 2017.
Wiseman ‘Ten-Ten’ Meyiwa is an immensely talented defensive midfielder coming from Kaizer Chiefs’ development structures. The 17-year-old has now joined the first team. He has already represented South Africa at the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups.
The Pietermaritzburg-born had a good pre-season with Amakhosi. “It wasn’t easy,” he reflects with a smile, “it was hard and there was a lot of running. However, we are now all top fit and ready to go.”
Meyiwa gets a lot of guidance from Willard Katsande, who plays in the same position, in the central midfield anchor role.
“Katsande talks a lot with me,” he says. “For example, he tells me to never be scared when playing. He also advises me a lot about positioning, when to be where on the pitch, especially when we are defending.
“When I play with Katsande in the same team at training, everything becomes very easy. He’s always motivating me and giving tips on how to become a better player.”
Meyiwa was nicknamed ‘Ten-Ten’ at the development side after the legendary Petros ‘Ten-Ten’ Nzimande, who played for Chiefs in the seventies. Nzimande was also a defensive midfielder.
His mother Ngenzeni Meyiwa is a big inspiration. “She’s always there for me when there is a problem,” the youngster notes. “She motivates me a lot and she will remind me to pray, to be patient and to trust God.”
He enjoyed the experience of his first Soweto Derby. “I have never seen such a big crowd. It was truly amazing. I didn’t play. However, it was incredible to see how the supporters were even cheering players kicking the ball during the warm-up. Those small things, they are so motivational.”
Besides soccer, the midfielder sometimes watches rugby, especially the All Blacks. “They have a very strong squad and what I like from what I have picked up while watching them, is that there is a great team spirit in the New Zealand squad.”
Meyiwa likes to relax while watching a movie at home or at the cinema. He also does gaming, above all FIFA 17.
“I am really a Love & Peace kind of guy,” he concludes, “always smiling and treating everybody the same way. There is not a single person I won’t talk to or will try to help when needed.”
The Pietermaritzburg-born had a good pre-season with Amakhosi. “It wasn’t easy,” he reflects with a smile, “it was hard and there was a lot of running. However, we are now all top fit and ready to go.”
Meyiwa gets a lot of guidance from Willard Katsande, who plays in the same position, in the central midfield anchor role.
“Katsande talks a lot with me,” he says. “For example, he tells me to never be scared when playing. He also advises me a lot about positioning, when to be where on the pitch, especially when we are defending.
“When I play with Katsande in the same team at training, everything becomes very easy. He’s always motivating me and giving tips on how to become a better player.”
Meyiwa was nicknamed ‘Ten-Ten’ at the development side after the legendary Petros ‘Ten-Ten’ Nzimande, who played for Chiefs in the seventies. Nzimande was also a defensive midfielder.
His mother Ngenzeni Meyiwa is a big inspiration. “She’s always there for me when there is a problem,” the youngster notes. “She motivates me a lot and she will remind me to pray, to be patient and to trust God.”
He enjoyed the experience of his first Soweto Derby. “I have never seen such a big crowd. It was truly amazing. I didn’t play. However, it was incredible to see how the supporters were even cheering players kicking the ball during the warm-up. Those small things, they are so motivational.”
Besides soccer, the midfielder sometimes watches rugby, especially the All Blacks. “They have a very strong squad and what I like from what I have picked up while watching them, is that there is a great team spirit in the New Zealand squad.”
Meyiwa likes to relax while watching a movie at home or at the cinema. He also does gaming, above all FIFA 17.
“I am really a Love & Peace kind of guy,” he concludes, “always smiling and treating everybody the same way. There is not a single person I won’t talk to or will try to help when needed.”
