In reality the defender, whose direct switch from Pirates to Chiefs at the start of the 2005-06 season attracted a lot of attention, begins his third season as a Chiefs player and is hoping that the 2007-08 season will be his best yet in a Chiefs jersey.

Tau is not just a hard working defender on the field of play away from the training ground; he works equally hard educating himself as he prepares for a life away from football. Juggling being a professional footballer while being a full time student might be hard for some people, but not for Jimmy Tau as it is a part of his life as he tries to achieve success on two fronts.

As he begins his third season with Chiefs Jimmy spells out to Kaizerchiefs.com his ambitions for the new season, as well as the challenges and examinations that he faces in the coming season.

KC.COM: Jimmy you have been quite busy through the pre-season having to get back into shape for the new season, as well as continuing on with your studies. How has it been and have you been able to juggle having to study with keeping up your training regime?




JT: Yes it has been a few months of hard work but I do feel that in the end hard work always pays off. I opted to try and get an education while also fulfilling my ambitions of being a successful soccer player.

My football career will last perhaps another ten years and thereafter I still have the rest of my life to think about, so right now there is a bit of sacrifice required on my part. As between my football commitments and studying I am kept quite busy but believe me it is all for the best. Having the studies and training to attend to has helped me become a more disciplined person as I try to stick to a structured daily regime.

KC.COM: You began by doing a course in Human resources management a few years ago, earlier this year you registered to do another one in marketing. How have you fared in your examinations over the past two semesters, and are you coping with doing two courses at once?




JT: I did manage to get some credits from the Human resources course which I carried over to the marketing one, so it has not been too hard for me. I passed my examinations during the past two semesters and hopefully I can do the same for the finals which are later this year. Thankfully my studies have gone well and I have really been enjoying them getting an education has most definitely helped broaden my horizons.

KC.COM: Lets get down to the examinations on the pitch, you won the PSL with Pirates in 2002-03, how likely is it for you to add to that with another winners medal this season?




JT: I am hoping so, you know it is too early to say how we will do. The guys are all optimistic about our chances but the thing is that there are a number of very strong teams in the league this season. We need to see how things progress after the first couple of rounds of games, the thing is that you need to be confident that you can do well and I think that we do posses the strength and the self-belief to do well.

All that needs to happen is for us to be calm and take it one game at a time. It is as they say a marathon not a sprint so we need to space ourselves properly over the next nine months and take it from there.

KC.COM: With the club signing the likes of Moketi Tsotetsi and Jonathan Quartey to beef up the defense, how do you think the battle for starting positions in the backline will pan out?




JT: I must add straight out that the arrival of new players like the guys you mentioned is a good thing for the team, as it makes the team stronger and more competitive. So anything that benefits the team is good for us and if that means that there will be some additions then I am fine with that.

I must say that both John and Moketi are terrific guys and are just as good at doing the job on the pitch. Competition for places in my opinion especially from within your own team is good, for me personally it is a good thing as I believe that it will help raise the level of my game as I try to meet the challenge of getting into the team.

As long as I keep on improving day by day and the coach can see that I do not have a problem with the competition, in the end it will only work to benefit the team.

KC.COM: Any final thoughts ahead of the new campaign?




JT: Perhaps a few words for the fans to keep up their support for the team and I know that we can always rely on your support to carry us through, do understand that everything takes time and good things will come to us if we are patient.