It was also not surprising when he was shipped from the Mother City after making just 15 official appearances for the club, but shocking was his destination – Kaizer Chiefs.
Had Bobby Motaung lost his mind, buying a player that had failed to make the grade at the lowly-rated Urban Warriors? Most soccer fans thought Bobby would have done better to buy Katsande’s slippery countryman and attacking midfielder Khama Billiat instead.
They thought they were vindicated in their backlash when the former Gunners star made a nightmarish start to his Chiefs career, as the jaded side let in three goals in 15 minutes to bitter rivals Orlando Pirates to lose 3-2 in his debut match.
Instead of noticing the new midfielder their side had brought in, most Chiefs supporters were left mourning the absence of his countryman and proven workhorse, Tinashe Nengomasha, totally left out of the line-up by then coach, Vladimir Vermezovic.
The state of affairs later proved prophetic, when Nengomasha was released to Bidvest Wits the following season and Katsande ws thrust into the deep end of the Chiefs midfield. Barely a season later, the man who made only 10 appearances for the Glamour Boys has come full circle, as the Amakhosi find a new lease of life under Briton, Stuart Baxter.
Following in the footsteps of Nengomasha, Katsande has not only become a regular player for the Soweto giants, but also one counted upon to deliver even when the chips are down, earning nicknames like “Cheese and Onion”, “Salt and Vinegar” and “Salt and Pepper” from his fans.
Although his first half is usually low, his second is one of the best the league has ever seen, perhaps the reason why Chiefs have been stronger after the interval or towards the end of the game most of the time this season.
Club legend, Wellington Manyathi, is one of many who have been impressed by the hard-tackling Zimbabwean midfielder, recently describing him as an ‘asset’ to the team that is challenging for league honours this season.
“He is definitely one of the key players in Stuart Baxter’s team and an asset for the Club. He has done quite a good job in the middle of the park,” Manyathi told the Kaizer Chiefs website recently.
“I played in the same role as Willard back in the days and I was responsible for doing the dirty job for the team, but also I would also bring an element of surprise when we attacked or had to switch play. Willard is a good player and is thriving in the system the club is playing this season. Defensively, there is no weakness in his game.”
Manyathi also gave some advice to the 27-year-old: “He needs to get more involved both when the team is attacking and defending. I would like to see him commanding things in the middle of the park by being more vocal. He is a hard worker and there is no question about his work ethic.”
“He is going to improve and when that happens he will become an even greater player in the gold and black. He should not really worry about getting recognition like winning the ‘Man of the Match’ awards but, know that he is a very important player for the team,” added the Chiefs legend, who in 1992 won a double with the club, something Katsande is hoping to emulate this season.
Post published in: Football