Tsepo Masilela sounded optimistic ahead of the upcoming season. The fullback expressed satisfaction at his contribution during the past season after spending his first season at Chiefs plagued by injuries. Masilela played 35 games during the past season.

kaizerchiefs.com with the tough defender after the Monday training session.

Welcome back Tsepo, how are you?

“Thank you. I feel good to be back at the Village and recharged. I am happy and am looking forward to the start of the season. The offseason was great but it is now back to work. I travelled overseas with my wife and also engaged in a lot of work between the fun and resting. I followed the prescribed programme to ensure I remained healthy and fit.” said Masilela.

Talking about fitness, how do you feel?

“I worked hard during the break. It is still early though, there is a lot of work to be done before we can get going. The upcoming camps will help us to get to the right levels. When you play for Chiefs you know the challenge.” commented Masilela.

How do you forecast the season ahead?

“It is always going to be tough. Though it is early to say, the usual suspects will beef up their squads to remain in contention for honours. The biggest challenge for us at Chiefs and with the other big teams is that we play to win all trophies. It is going to be difficult but we are determined to reach our goals. The PSL is now very competitive, the teams are becoming stronger each year. We are aware of the challenges that lie ahead. We have held a couple of team talks already and when we go on camp we will continue to discuss the plans more as the players. At camp, the Captain will always call us to meet as players alone to discuss and plot the way we should tackle the season.” said the onetime Getafe (Spain) and Maccabi Haifa (Israel) player.

You are in the starting line-up in the Carling Black Label Cup in the current vote count, how do you feel?

“The supporters are a critical component of the game and when they give you the nod in the starting line-up, it feels good and makes you want to do your best for the Club. It is interesting to see the supporters having a chance to have a say in the starting line-up. I am happy and looking forward to the game.” commented the Bafana Bafana international.

The tickets for the CBL Cup playing on the 26th of July at FNB Stadium are selling like hotcakes with the category of R60 tickets sold out. The other categories of R80 and R150 are selling fast and the fans are advised to buy their tickets on time.

Your take on Brazil?

“That’s a World Cup full of surprises. It is good for football though. The scoreboard is unpredictable, look at Costa Rica’s performance and the two African teams in the knockout stage, Algeria and Nigeria. I am learning and find it interesting to observe the different systems that teams are using lately. I have been analysing the formations that the teams are using. It is interesting to see the Dutch, the Mexicans and Uruguay using the 3-5-2 systems. It is interesting to watch.” said Masilela.

Masilela vowed to do well this season and has urged the supporters to give their undying support to the Glamour Boys as they have been doing in the past 44 years.