What have you made of the preseason since you and your teammates resumed training on June 9?

It has been helpful in terms of us preparing for the challenges ahead. The preseason has given the coach an opportunity to outline his plan, what he expects of so on and us. We worked on areas that we were lacked on last season. It has benefited the team.

The team participated in a couple of friendly games before Vodacom Challenge where you played as a centre back. How did you find the experience?

I enjoyed it. It helps as a player when you can be versatile and can fit wherever the coach wants you to play. It was not a new thing for me as I have played in that position when I played in amateur ranks. However I have not played there in the Premiership.

Then, there was the Vodacom Challenge where you got to face Manchester United. What did you make of the team that Man U brought this time around as compared to the side they brought in 2006?

The quality was different and the intensity of the games was not the same. Mind you, we were playing against European Champions and English Premiership champions. They took their preseason serious. It was a good experience for us, in particular younger players who got an opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world.

Chiefs have started quite well this season in particular in the Wafa Wafa MTN8. Fans are already talking about this side winning things this season...

It is always good when we play well for the supporters, the nation at large. The expectations have brought bigger challenges to us to keep the momentum. There is always pressure to do well at Kaizer Chiefs. It is part of being here. What is important is how you handle the pressure that comes with playing for this Club.

Do you think so far you and your teammates are handling it well?

I think we are handling it well so far, we have made steady strides...however, we have not achieved anything.

It has been a month since you were appointed as a captain of the team...

It has been challenging, demanding and a good experience. Credit should go to my teammates for being cooperative and supportive since I was handed the responsibility to lead the team. I spoke to Ryder Mofokeng, Doctor Khumalo, Shaun Bartlett and Lucas Radebe just to get guidance from them on my role.

The media and section of fans feel that your rivals, Mamelodi Sundowns in particular will be a team to beat this season...

Everybody is entitled to their opinion, we are focused on what we want to achieve. I have come up with a theme, “In everybody’s eyes we are young and inexperienced but in God’s eyes we are giants and world beaters”. We need to believe more in ourselves than in what people say.

What do you see as threats to team success this season?

Complacency and drifting away from the goals we have set this season.