The Highlanders reject joined the “Team of Choice” earlier this season, having seen little action at Bosso, but has suddenly become a revelation here. His skill, defensive acumen and incisive overlapping play have endeared him to both coach Steve Khompela and the club’s faithful, as United push for a top eight finish.
Banda, who admits that he is getting inspiration from seeing the success of countrymen Khama Billiat, Knowledge Musona and Cuthbert Malajila, admitted said this was the happiest moment in his football career. Since he joined the KwaZulu-Natal side in the beginning of the season, he had started eight of United’s first 11 league games, missing the other three while awaiting his work visa.
“Surely, everything has been going according to my plans. I am very happy to be one of the team’s key players and being on the starting line-up week-in and week-out really shows that I joined the right team, where I am highly-appreciated,” said the Zimbabwean ace.
“Adjusting to such a high level of the game as the Absa Premiership wasn’t an easy task for me, but I seem to have now cemented my place in the gifted Maritzburg side. The fact that the team is doing well thus far is also a plus for me because its shows I am contributing something and paying back the coach for his faith in me.”
Comparing with his time at Bosso, where he was restricted to warming the bench, Banda said moving down south was a new chapter in his life.
“Joining Maritzburg was the rebirth of my career. I was warmly welcomed by both my teammates and the management. I was also happy to have my countryman, Terrence Mandaza, in the same team and he has been like a brother to me, giving me all the welcome and tips to survive in the rigours of South African football, where the level is very high. The supporters have also been very good to me. They appreciate my talent and that keeps pushing me to do even better,” said the young player.
Maritzburg United has played 11 league games so far and the Warriors defender has played 9 games for the team.
Post published in: Football