Kaizerchiefs.com: (joking) it is very difficult to get hold of you these days “Mhlekazi”?

LM: No, no, no that cannot be true, I am always available to talk to kaizerchiefs.com nothing has changed. It is still preseason and I am the first to know that this is just the beginning!

KC: Congratulations are in order for winning Vodacom Challenge and for your superb performances during the preseason...

LM: Thank you very much. I am very excited that the Technical Team has given me a chance to play after waiting on the wings for almost four years. I know now that I have a chance to fight for my place in this team. The coach has said that if you work hard you will be rewarded and this is the reward for the hard work I have put in during the preseason.

I am over the moon, winning Vodacom Challenge and the victory against Manchester City in the final was a cherry on top. I am now confident of making my official debut for this team and show what I can offer.

KC: You must have been relieved that you stayed behind when other players were allowed to leave at the end of 2008/9 season?

LM: It was very tough last season. I mean everyone seemed to get a chance to play except me. I never even made it to the bench once despite the hard work I was putting at training. I never lost hope though and this season I can see the light.

KC: you were outstanding against Orlando Pirates...

LM: Growing up - it was the game that I would never miss on television, watching my heroes and some of the best players ever to play in this country in action was always something to look forward to. I could not believe it when the coach named me as a starter in the Soweto derby. It was going to be my first derby...!

I played in lot of derbies during my years at Kaizer Chiefs development but the derby in Port Elizabeth is nothing compared to that. The fans, the noise in that stadium was unbelievable and I knew that millions were watching including at home where they are Orlando Pirates supporters.

We were all happy to beat Pirates and did not have time to celebrate, as we had to prepare for the Man City in the final.

KC: Then in the final you were called in just after Robinho had come in as a substitute...

LM: I was warming up together with other players when he came in and the coach called me immediately afterwards. “Did you see Robinho”? Asked the coach. I nodded. “Can you mark him”? I replied, “Yes” without even thinking twice. I was confident of not only marking him but also doing my job on the field. He never really troubled us as we defended very well on the afternoon.

I tried to shake hands with him after the game but he was very upset. I did not have much time for him though as I wanted to celebrate with my teammates. Winning the Vodacom Challenge is one of the highlights for me as a player for one reason that I played a part. It was special!

KC: Few people know that you were called to Bafana Bafana squad by then coach Stuart Baxter in 2004...

LM: I was playing for the U-17 national team at Soccer City on a Saturday. Bafana coach, Stuart Baxter was there and I remember getting a call from Bafana Bafana Team Manager, “We are camping on Monday”, I remember replying that, “I am already in camp and we played yesterday,” He then told me that he was Bafana Bafana Team Manager and he was calling me to report to a camp in Sandton.

I could not believe what I was hearing, a young boy from Chiefs development going to Bafana Bafana camp, it was unbelievable.

On my arrival there I saw guys I was used to watching on television, OJ Mabizela and many others. Katlego Mpela, playing in France then was my roommate. It was a great feeling to be part of the national team even though I did not play. We were all equals and no one looked down on me during the camp.

KC: You must fancy your chances of making it to the U-20 World Cup in Egypt later this year...

LM: It is important that I play for me to stand a chance of making it to the squad to compete in Egypt. I definitely want to be there and it was difficult for me to compete with the guys whom were playing regularly in their teams.

If I play here then I stand a good chance of representing my country in Egypt. I am going to continue working hard in improving all areas of my game.

KC: The competition for places at Chiefs is going to be even tougher...

LM: To tell you the truth, I am not worried at all about competition - that is how confident I am this season. I am aware that I am competing with top players but I want to play as well. We all have to work hard for the benefit of the team.