Mkhabela pleased to be home
HE LASTED SIX MONTHS Platinum Stars welcome him back with open arms.
Former Kaizer Chiefs player Ennocent Mkhabela said he has become stronger after a frustrating spell at the club. Mkhabela was released by the Soweto giants without playing an official game for them. He spent just six months in Naturena before he was shipped out to Platinum Stars.
Mkhabela was one of the eight players unveiled by Amakhosi before the start of last season, but he was loaned out to Dikwena in January after failing to break into Steve Komphela’s side.
He was eventually released in June and is now permanently back at Dikwena where he started his career.
“I am happy to be back home. This might be a chance for me to get some game time and re-polish my talent,” said the 28-year-old.
Asked how he felt about his generally embarrassing experience at Chiefs, where he didn’t even get to wear the shirt once in an official match, he said it is now water under the bridge for him.
“What happened at Chiefs made me stronger. I am here because of where and what I have been through. Life cannot always be smooth,” he told Phakaaathi.
“I would be lying if I said I knew why I was never given a chance to play. But I learnt from the experience. I learnt to be professional and strong,” he added.
He said being back at Stars – a side he left to join SuperSport United some four years ago – was a chance for him to reinvent himself.
“I want to help the youngsters in the team and also help the team to achieve their targets, which is a top four finish.
“Change is always good and I am working on making sure I give my best here at Stars.”
Another player who was released by Amakhosi, Siphelele Mthembu has also revealed that his experiences have improved him as a player and a man. Mthembu has since joined Free State Stars where he made his debut in a 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu on Saturday afternoon.
“In life you always learn – from every experience,” said Mthembu. “I learnt a lot during my stay at Chiefs and have grown as a player and a man. As a player you always want to challenge for a playing position, but unfortunately it didn’t happen for me. Maybe the coach preferred the other players. Now I have to move and work hard for Stars.
“Football-wise it wasn’t the toughest time of my career because I faced the same challenge at Orlando Pirates,” he added.