Reneilwe Letsholonyane bounced back from an injury during the preseason to become one of the most influential players in the team during the first half of the season. He is now on a brink of being part of the biggest soccer spectacle the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He took time from his busy schedule with Bafana Bafana to answer questions sent to kaizerchiefs.com.

I would like to know why are you called “Yeye”, I would like to call you “Mr. Perfect Touch”?


S’phamandla Sokhela

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: (Laughing) I do not know where that really came from. I have been called Yeye since I was a youngster growing up at White City, Soweto. I like Mr. Perfect Touch, thanks for the nickname.

You have dreadlocks; does this mean you are a Rasta Man? What does your name Reneilwe mean?


Qhawe Mahlalela

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: (Laughing) I am not a Rasta! The dreads are just a hairstyle. I had cheeskop before this and I only did my dreads five years ago.

The name Reneilwe means ‘gift’.

What is the greatest challenge in playing for Kaizer Chiefs and what are your goals for the upcoming season?


David Nelufule

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: Kaizer Chiefs is a big team and as a player coming from Jomo Cosmos the most important thing was to gel with the players. When you click with the players it makes your life much easy and if not it can make things difficult for you.

I want to help the team do better next season than we did this season where we won the Telkom Knockout.

Describe the feeling you had when you first set foot in Naturena and how was a treatment from other players on your arrival?


Buda P

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: I was happy to have finally joined a team that I had supported since I was a boy. It was a dream come true for me. On that day it was my birthday (June, 9) so I was on high spirits. The welcoming from everyone at the Village was fantastic. I knew other guys having played against and some since growing up in Soweto.

What car do you drive and how many times have you visited Namibia and Botswana?


Reneilwe Letsholonyane: I drive BMW 325. I have not been to both Namibia and Botswana.

How do you feel about the possibility of being part of Bafana Bafana establishment that will be taking the world in few days time and if given a chance what contribution personally you going to make to ensure that our national team advances beyond the second round?


GladWin

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: I feel both excited and nervous to be part of this group. As a player I want to make sure that given a chance we play the kind of football that our fans will be coming to watch and make every South African proud.

I like your style of play, I have a problem with the teams that I am playing with because they like to fight and I hate that. Sometimes I think of not playing soccer anymore, but cannot leave it because every time I see you playing the next day, I want to play the way I saw you playing.


Emmanuel Aphane

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: Thank you for the compliment. If you want to succeed in life it is very important that you exercise patience and perseverance as nothing comes easy. In football the two also become very important if you want to fulfill your dreams of playing at the highest level. You need not to be discouraged, just continue with what you love, do your best and one day you will be rewarded.

Which area of your game have you worked on the most?


Clive

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: I worked on my finishing, shooting and as a midfielder I also paid attention on protecting the ball and heading.

If you can choose between playing with JD (Josta Dladla) or Tinashe (Nengomasha) who will you choose?


Lungisani “Zidane” Shelembe

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: It is not my decision to choose whom should I play with but the decision of the coach. They are both different players who add value in the team and I am happy to play with whomever the coach asks me to.

I just want to know what was your reaction when you were called to the 29 men squad for the last camp?


Olebogeng OM. Mojaki

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: Having been to the camps in Brazil and then Germany I was not really surprised to be called for the last camp because I had worked very hard during the previous camps. I like to think I have done my best since given the opportunity to be part of Bafana Bafana it is now up to God to do the rest!

If it happens that you move overseas, when you come back will you play for Kaizer Chiefs or you will join Mamelodi Sundowns?


Hlelani Gule

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: Kaizer Chiefs will always be my first preference. This is the biggest Club in the country and a Club that I grew up supporting. If then things do not work out I will then look for a job elsewhere.

You were playing well midseason but towards the end of the league campaign you seem to struggle, what would have been a cause of that?


Mfuno Walter Maluleke

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: I think the opponents started to plan better by targeting certain players within the team. They were now aware of what I could offer in the team and I was always marked tight as a result I did not perform to the level I was expected to. I continued working hard though as I always want to make sure that every time I don the Gold & Black I give 100% on the field.

What is the most memorable goal in your career?


Bonani Baloyi

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: It has to be the goal I scored against Jomo Cosmos in the league last year. This is not because I wanted them relegated but because it was at Cosmos where I was given a chance to play in the Premier League. I wanted Bra J to appreciate his work and also to see that ever since I left the Club I have never looked back. I will always be grateful of the opportunity he gave me as a player.

In the township where do you normally hangout with who do you hangout?


Mzukisi Fani

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: I like hanging out with my friends either in Meadowlands and Dobsinville both in Soweto.

Who is your favourite player locally and internationally?


Tervin Ramutsidela

Reneilwe Letsholonyane: Locally it has to be my teammate George Lebese. I also like Maritzburg United midfielder Musa Nyatama and Andile Jali of Orlando Pirates. Internationally even though I am a Real Madrid fan I like Barca’s Xavi and Messi. I also like Real vice captain,Guti.

Kaizerchiefs.com together with Reneilwe Letsholonyane would like to thank you for words of encouragement and questions.