Msimango ready to contribute after returning to a much-improved Chiefs team

Msimango battled with a groin injury for six to seven months and only started playing at the beginning of this year, as he was introduced gradually. He has now started three of the last four matches, and salutes his teammates for holding the fort during his absence and helping to improve the team.

"For me, I'm really, really happy to be back, to be honest, because I faced a very difficult time over the past year with a recurring injury. So, returning to full fitness and full health is number one. I'm really glad about that," said Msimango

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"And coming back to the team, it's always been my desire to contribute the best I can to this club, irrespective of the number of minutes that I've had or whether or not I'm playing."

"As long as I'm here and contributing, I'm very happy and satisfied with that. Defensively, to sum it up, it's been a collective effort."

"It hasn't been easy. Like I said, there was a string of bad results that happened. The sole responsibility when you lose a game lies with the defense. So, we had to regroup, come together and refocus. And I think that has helped us get the results that we've got in the past few games."

Chiefs and Stellenbosch FC are seen as two teams that could decide where the league trophy is headed, as both are competitive and face Orlando Pirates and Sundowns in this run-in. Stellies have already held Sundowns to a draw midweek and still have to play Pirates. Chiefs still have to face the top two teams, but Msimango says they are focusing on their own targets.

Stellies will host Pirates on the fifth of next month, with Chiefs coming up against Sundowns the following day in Pretoria. Two games that could potentially decide the league’s title race.  

With Chiefs, currently seven points clear of AmaZulu, who are fourth on the log, tomorrow’s Soweto Derby could see Amakhosi consolidating their place in the top three, but for Msimango, it’s all about their meeting with Pirates at FNB stadium and nothing else.

Msimango also echoed the sentiments of the club’s co-coaches, Cedric Kaze and Khali Ben Youssed, that consistency in selection and the recovery of some key players from the injury list are behind their improved results and consistent goal-scoring. This is something that they struggled with in the first round.