Big league beckons for Meyiwa
WISEMAN Meyiwa is confident he has what it takes to make it in Kaizer Chiefs’ first team in the 2017-18 season‚ and all he asks for is a chance to prove his worth.
The 17-year-old finished the 2016-17 season training with the first team after impressing in the club’s reserve side and the national U20 team.
He even impressed Italy’s U20 coach‚ Alberigo Evani‚ in last month’s Fifa U-20 World Cup in South Korea. That was the second World Cup that Meyiwa played in after going with the U17 national team to Chile in 2015.
“The only thing missing now is to play for the first team‚” Meyiwa said.
“Having trained with the first team‚ I saw that I am ready. It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be.
“I just need to work hard and be strong mentally to survive there.
“The coach [Steve Komphela] applauded me for going to the World Cup.
“He told me to work hard in the World Cup because when I come back I will play.
“Those words motivated me to do well.”
Lucky Baloyi’s axing this week could pave the way for Komphela to give the teenager a chance in Chiefs’ central midfield in the 2017-18 season.
But the last graduate from Chiefs’ reserve team‚ Emmanuel Letlotlo‚ struggled in the first team after his promotion.
“He was given a chance‚” Meyiwa said.
“If you are given a chance‚ you must make the most of it.
“That’s all I ask for‚ a chance. I will do the rest.”
Meyiwa joined Chiefs in 2014 after the club scouted him at the Discovery Walter Sisulu Challenge that was played at the Nike Centre in Soweto.