Shitolo ready to make his mark
GLADWIN Shitolo’s past, present and future collide whenever he arrives for training at Rand Stadium.
To get there, the Orlando Pirates centreback drives past Jomo Cosmos’ base, which is adjacent Rand Stadium. Shitolo cut his teeth at Ezenkosi.
He arrived there as a 17-year-old in 2006 and moved up the ranks to the first team. The Buccaneers snapped him up in 2014 but sent him on loan twice, first at Platinum Stars and then Golden Arrows last season.
After impressing in Durban, Pirates recalled him for a season that promises to take the 27-year-old to new heights.
Tonight, at Orlando Stadium, Shitolo’s past, present and future will once again align when the Buccaneers host Abafana Bes’thende.
“It’s going to be an emotional match for me,” Shitolo said. “But work is work. I am grateful for what Arrows did for my career.”
In just a matter of weeks working with Pirates coach Muhsin Ertugral, Shitolo has moved from being at a crossroads to being tipped as a future Bafana Bafana player.
The Turkish mentor holds the lad from Giyani in high regard, describing him as a surprise package who is destined for greatness.
He is likely to play a central role in the Buccaneers’ defence, as a cool centreback who is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Justice Chabalala could partner him in central defence, with Thabo Matlaba and Thembela Sikhakhane as fullbacks.
Ertugral demands that his back four start the attack whenever they win the ball, instead of hoofing it forward.
“For me, this shows that I have improved as a player,” Shitolo said. “Pirates saw something in me for them to recall me from loan, just as they saw that something was missing in my game for them to send me there in the first place.
“I never took that decision personally. I took it as motivation to work even harder and come back as a better player.”
The competition for a place in the starting XI will be intense at Pirates, especially at the back. Ertugral pin-pointed the area as one that must improve for the side to challenge for honours so that they can celebrate their 80th anniversary next year in style.
“I have been through a lot in my career,” Shitolo said. “I remember those emotionally taxing moments at Cosmos when we were up and down, promoted to the PSL this season and then back to the NFD the next.
“That period toughened me up and made me grow mentally. But what I have seen here at Pirates is that the coach has made me more confident as a player. He has opened my eyes to things that I never imagined doing, like being in the national team.
“When you have someone who believes in you like that, you make sure that you don’t disappoint him.
“After the up-and-down past I have had, this is my time, because I see a bright future for myself at this club.”
Meanwhile, hit men Ndumiso Mabena and Jeremy Brockie will be out on dual missions when Platinum Stars host SuperSport United in their season opener at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium tonight.
Mabena and Brockie will battle it out, not just to help their teams acquire points but for their own personal missions.
The duo have their sights set on the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot accolade this season.
Last season Mabena found the back of the net 10 times while Brockie netted 11 goals in the league.
This season they will be eager to add to their tallies. Brockie has come out with his target, while Mabena has shied away from a figure.
“I have said openly that I have been disappointed with the 11 goals that I got last season. The 20-goal barrier hasn’t been broken for a while, and that’s a goal of mine,” said Brockie.
Unlike Brockie, Mabena doesn’t want to put himself under pressure.
“Every time I am asked about a target, I don’t say it. I just tell myself that I have to get as many goals as I can,” said Mabena. – Additional reporting Hosea Ramphekwa