Thandani Ntshumayelo says he has never been worried by competition in his professional football career. The midfielder is one of the players that have been playing regularly under Vladimir Vermezovic at Orlando Pirates so far this season. Ntshumayelo has made the position in Bucs' central midfield his own, playing alongside Oupa Manyisa and Issa Sarr.
Soccer Laduma: When Issa Sarr joined Orlando Pirates, some sceptics thought you would be sacrificed to make way for him in the central midfield. How do you feel playing regularly so far this season?
Thandani Ntshumayelo:Football is football. I have always been positive since I started playing professional football. I am always positive about fighting for my place in the team whenever I'm injury-free. The wish I have is to play each and every game for Pirates. I'm not scared of any challenges. For me the only way is to work hard at all times. I've always been ready to fight for my place.
SL: Does that mean you never saw Sarr as a competitor when he joined Pirates?
TN: Even with him… he came to Pirates to compete with us. No one is guaranteed a place at Pirates, especially under Coach VV (Vladimir Vermezovic). If you work hard at training, you will play. As it is happening now, the players that are performing at training are playing under Coach VV.
SL: It is rare for a new player at a big club like Pirates to play regularly like Sarr has done. What did the Pirates' players do to help him settle in so quickly?
TN: Issa is always very positive. He works very hard. He has an idea of what it is to play for Pirates by now. He played in a few cup finals while at Platinum Stars, but it is different here. Each and every game at Pirates is like a cup final. Playing for Pirates is different to playing for other clubs. At Pirates you have to perform well in each and every game.
SL: Does Sarr understand the pressure of playing for Pirates?
TN: I think he is aware. What I like about him is that he plays very simply and is doing very well.
SL: How is the communication between the players and him, because, when he first arrived in South Africa while playing for Chippa United, he didn't understand English very well?
TN: He has improved a lot. He speaks well and we all understand him.
SL: Pirates is known for having quality midfielders. How is the competition among the players in that department?
TN: The competition has always been there. There is competition in all departments at Pirates. Every player knows that he has to work hard at training in order to play. All of us have to push together and work hard at training to give the coach selection headaches.
