“Until now we have not been doing as best as we can. The most important thing is that we are slowly but surely getting there,” says Shabba.

Chiefs registered a 1-1 draw against Supersport United in their latest Absa Premiership fixture at the FNB Stadium. At first it seemed as though United had the upper hand in the match but the boys from Naturena turned the heat up and looked like the Chiefs team that many feared during their winning days.

“The game was an interesting one. We started slow but got the hang of it. I think that we are starting to click as a team and according to the changes we are trying to go through regarding tactics and all. Rome was not built in a day, so we have to be patient and the good times will return.”

Chiefs are now tenth after ten matches with fifteen points. They have drawn four times, lost twice and have won in four instances. The teams’ next fixture will be one against Ajax Cape Town at home on Tuesday 29 November.

“It’s disappointing that we lost in that way after such hard work. We tried to play and create chances but at the end of the day we lost through the lottery of penalties,” said Shabba.

This makes the second competition that Amakhosi have exited in the current season including the MTN 8 where they lost to Cape Town City in the quarter-finals.

“Yes it is the second competition we have exited. It is not easy but we have to accept and move on. Sometimes luck plays a big part in football and recently it has not been on our side. Hopefully though going forward we can do better as a team and the rewards will come,” concluded the experienced winger.

Chiefs skipper Siphiwe Tshabalala acknowledges the improved attitude and results of the glamour boys but adds that it is only the build up to what can be better performances.

“It is great to be back on the winning end of the business. We have been training hard and trying to improve on our performance and grinding results. This though is not the best that we can give, it can get better and that is what we aim to do”, said Shabba.

Amakhosi maintain their pole position on the log with 13 points from 6 games played. The Chiefs faithful will hope that the team continues their winning run having finished the previous season without silverware.

The Glamour Boys next face Maritzburg United in the Telkom Knockout on Wednesday 19 October 2016 before they can try to continue collecting points in the league with a fixture against Orlando Pirates on October 29.

He has been used as a second half substitute in the last two matches which Chiefs have won, making a dramatic turn-around to go on pole position on the league table. He is positive that he is building towards making a full return to first the first team line-up.

“I am enjoying my football again. No player wants to sit on the sidelines. It has been long so I am happy to be back. I am training my way back to my full fitness and once I reach that level I can resume helping the team who are now back to the winning attitude.”

“The team needs to do best by advancing to the next stage of the competition. By doing that we would have re-energized the mood at the camp and will be good for our unity,” Shabba said.

After their first loss of the season in the Absa Premiership the senior player believes it is only a matter of time until the team finds their winning form.

“The loss is history now. We need to focus on the cup match and the next fixture in the league. It is only a matter of time before we hit the track running. Patience is key.”

Amakhosi face Cape Town City on Friday evening in the mother city.

Siphiwe Tshabalala confirms that the hard work has begun and is expecting an entirely different season compared to the resent one.

“It is great to be back. The family has reunited and we are working to improve on what was a disappointing season. That is now behind us and we have to be optimistic in order to work positively,” Shabba said.

Asked about the new signings at the club Shabba welcomed all the lads and states that they need to fit in quickly as there is no room for mistakes in the upcoming season.

“I would like to welcome the guys and wish them well. They have arrived at a time when we have to raise the stakes. This will be hard work and that is why we have to start now and push for success,” concluded the Chiefs skipper.

Shabba worked hard during the past campaign and finishing with a total of 16 assists in all competitions. One in the MTN, four in the Telkom Knockout and eleven assists in the league. This means he has an average of 2.96 assists per game; this is the highest of all players in the PSL in the 2015/2016 season.

In the 2014/2015 season he finished with eight assists which was a low number compared to the 13 assists he knocked up in 2013/2014 campaign.

With that said it is clear that Shabba has a high work rate at the team and for lack of a better statement to make, he makes the team tick. It was a bad season for Amakhosi but the future still looks bright after an announcement from Naturena that 20 players would be off loaded. A new era will be formed with the leadership being Shabba the creator. We can only wait to see what the team will look like next season.

The only hope is that whoever is added to the magnificent squad will finish the chances created.

The former champions failed to defend their title and now have to settle for third should they defeat Chippa United on Saturday.

“We will go out there ready to fight and play like professionals. We can sulk and talk about our failures but we still have to keep our heads held up and also look at what lessons we have learnt inorder to bring a better and more positive future.

Looking back Shabba confirms that it was a disappointing season but believes all will be well again.

“It was a tough season and disappointing. This though does not mean when you are down you will not rise. Setbacks are always there in football but it is how we rise from them that matters. We will finish strong and come back a much better side next season,” concluded the Chiefs skipper.

Chiefs wrap up their campaign with a match against Chippa United at the FNB Stadium with the kick-off being at 15:00.

I Hope everyone had a special Mothers Day!

Chiefs lost against ASEC Mimosas in their first leg Champions League fixture, followed by a loss to Jomo Cosmos in the domestic league. They then registered three draws which saw them exiting the Champions League and drawing twice in the Absa Premiership. On Wednesday night they defeated the University of Pretoria by two goals to one.

“Look it is great to get a win. It has been a while since we got maximum points. It was long due and it was only a matter of time before we did.

This will help us better our position on the log and give us the confidence to go out there and look for more wins,” concluded Shabba.