Mveleli Mpengesi (Khosi for Life)br/>

Hi Mthokozisi. Well done for grabbing the opportunity that came your way and keep up the good work. Good Luck.

Mthokozisi Yende: Thanks for the message -- unfortunately we could not publish your entire email, but I really appreciate your support and appreciation of my style of play.

I believe that with hard work and perseverance I managed to get into the first team and If I carry on doing just that -- better things can happen. You did mention that I am the midfield engine room. I am fortunate in that I have three other very good players and hard working as well as skilful guys in the midfield with me generally.

So we complement each other and generally have a good understanding of each other.

Stanley Mmotla


We played together when you were younger at Leicester City in Tembisa. You did not express the ambition to become a footballer. I am proud of you.

Mthokozisi Yende: Stanley I do remember you -- if I am correct we played together from when I was around 10 years for about four years after that. Those where good years because they set the tone for me for later years and basically that is the time of my life when I began to enjoy playing football.

When you are that young, one does not really know where your life will take you but I did always have a dream to one day play professional football. At the moment Stanley I do believe that I am living my dream and hopefully things can only get better for me and the team.

Given Baloyi


Do you feel pressure when playing against Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns?

Mthokozisi Yende: Given, it’s actually funny that you ask that question and the answer is no, for the one reason that these kinds of matches are big occasions and you don’t want to let yourself down with a bad performance.

So I think that in these matches it is quite the opposite for me as I perform at my best against high profile opposition. From the onset you are fired up for the game and I get a natural boost ahead of such games. Maybe it is a good thing but thankfully until now not just facing these teams ,but any big game cup matches, thinking about the game motivates me.

Zanele Masilela


Do you think we have a team capable of winning the league and going on to conquer Africa? Do you ever play as goalkeeper in training? Can you deputise as a keeper?

Mthokozisi Yende: To answer the first part of your question I would say most definitely. We have a team capable of achieving a lot in the domestic league and abroad. There is tremendous potential. We need to carry on building and working as a team -- nothing can go wrong.

Being successful in African club competitions is a desire of every member of this team, and I think when we do start playing in Africa again we will be ready for the challenges that we will face. A number of our players have played for their national teams and junior national teams on the continent so that experience will help us.

To answer your second question, I don’t think being a goalkeeper is my strong point. I won’t be able to get between the sticks.

Pleasure Mgonori Ndhlamini


I would like to see you play consistently well throughout the season, that is the only way I believe you will win the league?

Mthokozisi Yende: I agree with you, being consistent is key and I feel that so far we have played well in all three of our league matches. We have not underestimated any opponent and will continue working very hard; we can win the league if we carry on building on the start we have given ourselves in the league. It is up to us to make sure that we keep on winning games -- we have kicked off in the best possible way and we need to move on from there.

Ctlab


Were you and Andile Jali friends when you were at Tuks?

Mthokozisi Yende: I answered this question to journalists before the MTN 8 Semifinals against Pirates. Yes we were teammates and friends. Andile was a hardworking and talented player back then and has carried on pushing, and as a result finds himself playing in the national team. I wish him all the luck.

Lesiba J Moakamedi


How did you feel when you hit the crossbar against Pirates in the MTN 8 Semifinal second leg?

Mthokozisi Yende: When I think about it or see a replay it gives me nightmares, and just thinking about takes me to an unhappy place. I thought that I connected well with the ball, I got power onto the shot and most importantly it was on target. It happened so quickly that it went over the keeper and hit the post in a flash -- when I hit it I really believed that the ball was going in.

Had that shot gone in at that stage of the game, it would have been our time to celebrate, because I feel that would have been the match-winning strike. Sport is like that -- you have to take the good with the bad and that is one of those moments where you look back at and you think -- if only.

Richman Magagula


There are many players who came from the East Rand of Gauteng and ended up not achieving their full potential, how are you going to avoid that?

Mthokozisi Yende: In your question you mentioned the names of these players -- I feel that it is unfair for me to do so and to say anything bad about them, because I did not play with them and do not have any connection with them in any way.

Two people can come from the same town, but can grow up very differently. Life is littered with the mistakes of those before us and I think that those lessons are there for us to learn from. Personally I have ambitions and goals and I am not way off from achieving them if I work hard -- but I have to keep my mind focused on helping my Club.

There are also players from the East Rand of Gauteng who were great role models and their lives and careers are also there for me to duplicate.

Christop Mbatha


Could you please add to your game by taking shots at goal from long range?

Mthokozisi Yende: Christop, thanks for the advice. I would like to be a better all round player and I am always looking for ways to improve my game. I am working on that aspect of my game and you are right -- that is something I am trying to get better at, and I am working at training on trying to be just as effective from a distance as I am from closer to the goal.

Thanks for letting me know where you feel I can get better. If I listen to you guys, because you are watching the games, then can I only find out what I need to change in my game.

Ntobeko Mkuzo


When you were struggling to break into the team I told my friends all you needed was a chance. Well done on the way you are playing.

Mthokozisi Yende: Thank you for believing in me. For now I am very happy at being able to play regularly but I understand that in order to keep my place I have to carry on working harder. It is the support from people like yourself and many other fans who have helped to lift my spirits.

James Sentsho Mokabame


How did you feel being given the number 10 jersey by Chiefs and also about what former Chiefs number Isaac Kungwane said about you?

Mthokozisi Yende: At any club in the world the number ten jersey is a special one and when you look at the kind of players who have worn this shirt at Chiefs you have to feel very honoured. It makes me feel special in a good way that the Club were willing to honour me by handing me the number 10 jersey ,and to me it is a real pleasure to be able to wear it.

When someone like ‘Shakes’, as we all knew Isaac during his playing days, says good things about you one needs to feel both humbled and honoured. He was a great player who won a lot for the Club and was a favourite of many fans during his day and for him to have said good things about me can only make me happy.

Mthokozisi Yende and kaizerchiefs.com thank you for sending your questions and words of support.