Newly-signed Baroka FC defender Sibusiso Mabiliso has opened up on how misfortunes at both AmaZulu FC and Kaizer Chiefs have helped him grow as a player.
The 25-year-old has relocated to Lebowakgomo in Limpopo on a season-long deal with Baroka in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
The former SA Junior International struggled for game time at Chiefs during his one-season stint. This prompted a move back to AmaZulu FC where he also struggled for some game time.
Mabiliso admits signing for Chiefs was a dream move that he will always be grateful for.
SIBUSISO MABILISO GRATEFUL DESPITE AN UNSUCCESSFUL STINT AT KAIZER CHIEFS
“Things didn’t go the way I expected them to be,” he told FARPost.
“But I am grateful for achieving my dream move. Although things didn’t go the way I wanted them to go.”
However, the left-back feels the lack of game time also limited his chance to impress.
“I only played six games for Kaizer Chiefs, and one of them was the derby [against Orlando Pirates], which I felt I did extremely well. But I don’t think I have enough time.”
“It taught me to be strong and able to bounce back because, remember, when I left AmaZulu, I was playing regularly. But when I got to Chiefs, I couldn’t play regularly. So it taught me to grow as a player and understand that I can’t always be the one that plays.”
FORMER AMAZULU DEFENDER’S HONEST ADMISSION ABOUT HIS EXIT AT THE CLUB
Having enjoyed his football Usuthu under Benni McCarthy in the 2020/21 season, Mabiliso also explains why it was difficult to break into the club upon his return in 2023.
“There is a huge difference because the first one [stint] I was playing regularly. But with the second one, I didn’t play regularly, which is something that I understand that I didn’t play regularly.
“There was competition because [Riaan] Hanamub and I were pushing each other at the training sessions. But I wouldn’t say I was not doing well. I was doing well, but it’s just that Hanamub was doing well,” he added.
“There were a lot of talks, but I decided to ignore them. Only God knows everything that has happened, but I was disappointed with how I exited the club. But it’s part of life and football; we should move on.”
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