Bhasera reveals Arthur Zwane lesson he’s applying as SuperSport United captain
SuperSport United skipper Onismor Bhasera has revealed a lesson he learnt from Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane and other senior players during his time at Amakhosi.
Bhasera was appointed captain of SuperSport recently, and he says he is applying that important lesson. The Zimbabwe international is convinced he was the natural choice for Matsatsantsa’s captaincy following Ronwen Williams’ departure.
The 36-year-old was recognised for his experience and leadership qualities as he took over from the Mamelodi Sundowns goalie.
Having been in the club’s books since 2016, Bhasera reckons he was already their natural leader before receiving the armband.
LEADING SUPERSPORT UNITED
“It wasn’t just official. It was a matter of just wearing the armband, but I have been a senior player in the team. Even when Ronwen was here, I was a senior player trying to lead the guys.
“It’s something I had been doing, but now it’s a matter of wearing the armband. The rest has been a continuation of what I have been doing in the past.
“So, it’s a matter of being official and wearing the armband and winning the toss. But I have been leading the guys, so it wasn’t really a major step. To be honest, it’s something that was always in my DNA,” Bhasera told FARPost.
The former Chiefs defender says the captaincy has helped amplify his voice when motivating the rookies in Matsatsantsa’s ranks.
“We do that on daily and even on hourly voices to remind these youngsters of the importance of consistency and encouraging them and also to praise them when they have done something good,” he added.
“If they are not doing something, I remind them. If they have done well, we praise them. It’s something which I have to do as a senior player and captain alongside the likes of Thulani [Hlatshwayo], and George [Chigova].
CLASS OF 2022
He added: “Sometimes it’s hard to deal with youngsters, but with good people around, one can make something out of it which something have tried to do so far so good.”
The robust left-back, who played for Kaizer Chiefs between 2007 and 2009, says much of what he’s doing was witnessed at the Soweto giants.
“At that time, there were a lot of leaders in the dressing room. The likes of Arthur Zwane, Thabo Mooki it was Cyril Nzama and Tinashe Nengomasha.
“Arthur was doing what any senior player in a team would do. He was reminding the young boys how important the badge was and that when you go into the pitch, you have to play for the badge.
“We’re doing the same at SuperSport because we’ve got to take it to another level,” he concluded.
Bhasera was part of the class of 2022 Premier Soccer League [PSL] transition programme.
Among other players that include Itumeleng Khune and Elvis Chipezeze, Bhasera recently graduated at Gordon Institute of Business Science in Johannesburg.
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