Azola Tshobeni speaks out on Orlando Pirates future
Attacking midfielder Azola Tshobeni, on loan at Motsepe Foundation Championship side JDR Stars has spoken out about his future with Orlando Pirates.
Tshobeni burst onto the professional scene with the Buccaneers in the 2020/21 season from the club’s development side.
However, he struggled for game time, making only six appearances for Pirates’ senior team. As a result, Tshobeni, who impressed during his Diski Challenge days at Bucs was sent out on loan at JDR Stars nine months into his contract with the Soweto giants first team.
The aim of the loan deal in the second-tier league was for Tshobeni to gain some confidence and experience to compete in the DStv Premiership.
Tshobeni has been at JDR Stars ever since and the former South Africa U-23 player stayed grounded and worked his way up with the Tshwane-based side under the tutelage of coach and chairman Nditsheni Nemasisi.
His play as a second striker and attacking midfielder has been a key factor in JDR’s strong runs for the past three seasons. In helping Nemasisi’s squad put together impressive displays for three seasons upon his arrival, Tshobeni has an overall tally of two goals and several assists in 57 matches.
He will be looking to work extra hard when the the second-tier league returns on 13 February from a month hiatus due to the ongoing AFCON tournament in Cote D’Ivoire.
The 21-year-old star is due to return to the Soweto giants this coming winter as his loan spell, according to Transfermarket, is coming to an end in June.
AZOLA TSHOBENI DETERMINED TO RETURN BACK TO ORLANDO PIRATES
Despite the fact his time with Pirates still seemingly looks a long way off, the left-footed star remains determined to make his mark at the club.
“When I was loaned out from Pirates to JDR, I did not take it as a setback or felt like a failure because there were plenty of things I lacked when I was promoted to the first team,” Tshobeni told FARPost.
“I didn’t know how to deal with many things at that time, since I was still young. Truly speaking, we all know the pressure that comes with playing for a team of Pirates’ calibre. I was mentally not ready to deal with a lot of pressure.
“So now I have learnt a lot from the club’s chairman [Nditsheni Nemasisi]. He has helped me a lot. Playing for a first-division team has helped me a lot.
“I feel ready to go back to the team and fight for my position, though it won’t be easy because, obviously, the pressure is not the same as where I am now.
“But I think I have everything that I needed. I have grown up, I am mentally strong and more matured with a bit of experience. I got all the tools that qualify one to play for Pirates.”
RELATED STORY: Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates announce ‘exciting’ new partnership
Story by Clifton Mabasa