“Thanks to the Kaizer Chiefs Family for supporting me,” Brilliant Khuzwayo reacts on his superb performance in the Telkom Knockout semifinal against Orlando Pirates. “I sustained an injury early this season and, because of this, it wasn’t easy for me.”

The goalkeeper made numerous outstanding saves to help Amakhosi keep a clean sheet. The Man of the Match trophy was a justified reward.

After returning to full fitness, Khuzwayo played a few matches for Kaizer Chiefs Reserves, showing fine form. As a result, coach Steve Komphela didn’t need to think too long with whom to replace the injured Itumeleng Khune in Saturday’s Soweto Derby.

“I kept believing that my chance would come again,” continues Khuzwayo. “We beat our rivals Orlando Pirates. It wasn’t so much about revenge. It was more about getting to another cup final with a chance to win a trophy.”

When asked what the goalkeeper says to his opponent when preparing to take a penalty, Khuzwayo reacts with a smile on his face: “When I was young, I used to follow closely the late Senzo Meyiwa, also because he comes from my area, Umlazi. Both Senzo and Moeneeb Josephs always talked a lot to the penalty takers, trying to put doubt in their mind. I thought: ‘If it worked for Senzo and Moeneeb – why not for me?’

And work it did. Two Pirates players failed to score from the spot in the penalty shoot-out, helping Chiefs beat their opponents 6-5. The Telkom Knockout final is the result.