Katsande rises back to the top

Ztn Reporter

At the start of the current Absa Premiership season Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernest Middendorp told Willard Katsande that he was not a starting XI player, not even among the top 12 players in the pecking order.

But the 33 –year old Zimbabwean midfielder’s response was as classy as it was typical.

 “I called him in, he had a one-year contract, and said ‘listen it’s unusual for you but you are not in the plans to be a starting XI or first 12. I left a little door open.

“He accepted it and said ok. He went into the training session and again and again …” Middendorp told Thursday Night Live with Marawa on Thursday evening.

Katsande has since risen from being not a guaranteed starter to the team captain and a man whose absence causes Amakhosi to sneeze.

Asked by host Robert Marawa if the Zimbabwean deserved a new contract Middendorp said: “If they ask me today I will say of course.”