THE COMEBACK KID
Chikila out to prove he is no spent force
EC Bees’ top goalscorer in the ABC Motsepe League last season Bongani Chikila has returned to the Bhisho-based outfit after his failed attempt to make it into the National First Division.
After Chikila went to trial at Mthatha Bucks to be later told he was not good enough for the struggling Amathol’amnyama he set off for Ace Football Club, in the Western Cape.
“I’m very happy to be back home, it wasn’t easy where I was and I didn’t enjoy my time there and I’m glad that the guys here welcomed me back with warm arms.
“But I just can’t wait to be in the field, because I was unhappy at Ace FC and that was because of lack of game time. And having played so many games last season at Bees I felt that they were not giving a chance because whenever I played for them I scored goals.
“So I said to myself maybe I don’t deserve to be there, so I decided to listen to the Bees management and coach Chippa [Njedu] because they have been calling me to come back.”
Chikila, who had a stunning season in the third-league, got offers from more than two NFD clubs and he chose to go to Bucks, but unfortunately he did not make the grade.
“It wasn’t easy failing to make the team. There was a lot of mixed emotions on my side, so after that, I decided to go Cape Town just to clear my mind.
“I went there [Bucks] knowing that I would sign a contract and all of a sudden I was on trial. So as a player you need to be strong and move on from such things.
“I won’t lie there were moments where I felt like sitting at home and doing nothing, because a lot was running through my mind after having so many offers and not even one materialised.”
Following his unpleasant four months at Ace FC, Chikila has since returned to the Crazy Gang.
He began training with former team beginning of January and he hopes to return to the pitch in the red and white jersey when they face Mariveni in their Nedbank Cup clash on Sunday.
“I know the team is younger that the one we had last season and I want to use my experiences in the league to guide the young ones in the team.
“Some of them look up to me on and off the field, so that’s why it’s important for me respect the young players so they can respect me back.
“And there’s a lot I want to share with them and the spirit we have here at Bees is wonderful because everyone is motivating one another.
“Like Siphe-Sihle [“Music” Mtule], I’m happy he is scoring as many goals he is, because it’s not easy scoring.
“There was a game he scored five goals and that’s because he was getting the support he needs because that’s the only way anyone can score goals.
“Because there’s a lot of pressure in that scoring area.”
Chikila said the nine points they needed to topple ABC Motsepe League log-leaders Tornado was doable as they currently had 35 points on the logstanding at second spot. “If you check nine points, that’s only three games. So focusing on winning every league game from now will help us get back on top like last season.”