Posted in News on Mar 12, 2010.
How do you rate your form this season?
Scientist Njotini
Valery Nahayo: I did not play much football this season due to a groin injury I suffered early this season. I am happy that I was able to recover before the end of the league campaign and I am happy with my contribution in the last few games. I always try to give my best every time the coach gives me an opportunity to play.
I realized that man marking is your strength, what are you doing in improving your passing?
Matome Maenetja
Valery Nahayo: This is something I work on at training every day. The Coach also encourages us to play long and short balls during warm-ups. Thomas( Sweswe) and I always stay for few minutes after the warm-up to work on our passing game. I am improving day by day.
What keeps you enthused? Are there any ventures you are currently undertaking besides football? What do you do in your spare time and is there anyone special in your life?
Leo Nxedlana
Valery Nahayo: My family keeps me going! I have been married for four years to a beautiful woman -- Muco Evette -- and we are blessed with two kids, Chelsea and Jr. I like taking them out to Monte Casino in Fourways during my spare time.
Currently I am concentrating on football and I am not venturing into any businesses.
You came back from injury a different player, very calm and your reading of the game has improved drastically. What do you attribute all that to?
Beaver
Valery Nahayo: I watched my teammates while I was out, to get to know their strengths and how I could contribute to the team when I came back. I was always focused on my game and never lost track so that I might be called to help when I recover from injury. I also used the time to watch some of the top defenders in Europe, like John Terry and Vidic, to improve my positioning and my approach to the game.
What do you think of the racism that we see players like Bollattelo and Eto’o being subjected to in Europe. Be honest, have you been a victim of racism in South Africa on or off the field?
Mzukisi Fani
Valery Nahayo: No, I have not been subjected to that. I do not know why but many people, because of my light skin, think I am South African. Some get surprised when I tell them I am from Burundi. I feel sorry though, for some of our African brothers who are subjected to this, especially in Europe. It should not happen in football and Fifa should put mechanisms in place to root it out.
How do you feel about the relegation of your former team, Jomo Cosmos, and what do you think is the difference between them and Kaizer Chiefs? Lastly, how do you rate your teammate, Knowledge Musona?
Medupe Molefe
Valery Nahayo: I feel bad for Cosmos because it is where I spent four years before I joined Kaizer Chiefs. Things like this happen in football, it is the nature of the game. It was always going to be difficult for them as they used mostly the players that got them promoted. Having been in the same situation with them, to be at the bottom of the log, I know it is very difficult -- you need players who are mentally strong and most of the players there were young.
It is going to be difficult for them to come back again, because all the teams in that division want to play at the highest level. I do wish them all the best in their endeavours to return to the Absa Premiership.
Everything is different here at Chiefs. The Club is run professionally and I can compare it with some of the best in Europe. I had the pleasure of spending seven months with Genk, Belgium, as a youngster and Chiefs is right there with them in terms of professionalism.
Knowledge Musona is one of the brightest talents currently in the country. He has the potential to become the best and I see him playing a big role in the Club in the near future and going on to play for one of the top teams in Europe.
Why are you tackling so hard, is it your style of play?
Westa
Valery Nahayo: I do not go out to hurt a player but I like strikers to feel my presence. I am like that even at training (smiling).
Who is the trickiest player at training and how is Michael Nkambule’s progress?
Qubie Mahlangu
Valery Nahayo: Siphiwe Tshabalala is definitely the trickiest one at Chiefs. He does make my job easy though, as he does not like to be kicked, so when I come to him he just gives me the ball (laughing).
Nkambule is a very good player, the kind of player who will always keep possession of the ball. He might deceive you as he looks like someone who is lazy, but he is definitely not. He has been doing well at training and for the South African Development Squad.
What are your impressions about our media? How do you react when you read a newspaper and see negative stories about yourself or your teammate?
Xolisile Tyatya
Valery Nahayo: Personally I do not enjoy talking to the media but I do respect them. I also never read newspapers but do read local football magazines.
Where did it all start for you and do you prefer zonal or man marking as a defender?
Tshepo Setuki
Valery Nahayo: It all started when I was about 12, playing for my school back home in Burundi. I used to play as a winger, but because I was scared to be kicked I moved to defense. I had an opportunity to visit my uncle in Belgium and ended up spending seven months with Genk. It was an eye-opening experience for me.
I returned to Burundi and joined Muzinga Development. I was promoted to the senior team when I was only 18. I caught the attention of the national team and after two seasons playing top-flight football I joined Jomo Cosmos, where I spent four seasons before I joined Kaizer Chiefs. I would say that I prefer zonal marking as compared to man marking…zonal is used in the modern game.
Do you think you could have been a better player if you had joined Kaizer Chiefs six to seven years ago?
Wonga Mdludlu
Valery Nahayo: Kaizer Chiefs is playing differently as compared to some of the teams I have played for before. For instance, at Jomo Cosmos we played 3-5-2 and here we play both 4-4-2 and sometimes 4-3-3 depending on our approach. At Cosmos we were man marking while here we do zonal marking. I do think though, if I had joined Chiefs much earlier I would have been a better defender by now. I have no regrets for playing in some of the teams I have played for before I came here. They contributed to the kind of person and player I am today.
How many years are left on your contract?
27719157608 from MTN
Valery Nahayo: My contract is coming to an end at the end of the 2010/2011 season. My focus though, is not on the length of the contract but rather on helping the team win more trophies this season and next season.
What is this about your hairstyle? It reminds me of Taribo West…
Scara 11 Springbok Concordia
Valery Nahayo: Mhmm (laughing), I just like dreadlocks and of course Rastafarianism. I have a huge collection of Bob Marley. I am not sure if my dreads look like those of Taribo, who was a great defender for Nigeria. His had a green lining while I dyed mine blond.
What do you make of your combination with Thomas Sweswe?
Stephen Monama
Valery Nahayo: We have a very good understanding and we communicate well. God has really helped us to do what is right for the team.
Who is the most difficult opponent you have ever faced and how did you deal with him? How many red cards have you received in the PSL?
Timothy Makamu
Valery Nahayo: Didier Drogba! He has to be the most difficult opponent I have had to face. I will never forget the day when we played against Ivory Coast about four to five years ago…he scored a hat-trick and I was given the duty to mark him. I was young and with his strength it was difficult to deal with him. I will be coming face to face with him again during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and I am sure I will be able to keep him in my pocket this time. I also congratulate him for being crowned Africa Footballer of the Year, he deserved it for what he has done, especially for Chelsea. He might not have helped his side during the recent Afcon but he is a true leader and can create goals too.
I also had an opportunity to play against Wayne Rooney during the Vodacom Challenge in 2008. He is such a tricky player, very arrogant, and you need to be on your toes. I think I did a sterling job on him though, as he ended up being frustrated. After the game he came to me and asked me if I wanted to change jerseys with him…I did not even hesitate and that moment remains one of the highlights of my football career.
I have only been given a red card once in the PSL and that was against Free State Stars in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup in the 2008/9 season. It was not a straight red but I was booked early in the game.
Do you know that some fans call you “N1”? how do you handle criticism, especially playing a defensive role? What, in your opinion, was the problem with Chiefs' defence this past season?
Ignatius Nkosi
Valery Nahayo: (Scratching his head…taking a while to respond) People will always have something to say. What is important for us as footballers is to concentrate on our game and that is why I never read newspapers.
To answer your second question, for us here at Chiefs football is life and we never go out to give away goals, but sometimes it happens in a game that you make a mistake and it is part of the game. We all go out to give 110 per cent, to win and not to concede. I think we have proved, in the past few games, that we can be solid at the back.
