Thulani Hlatshwayo has given detail into accepting a one-year contract at SuperSport United and has opened up about the club's decision to exercising the option they had to keep him for at least another season.
At the time Hlatshwayo put pen to paper on a deal with SuperSport, he had come off an emotionally taxing period at Orlando Pirates. The journey at the club he had always wanted to play for came to a disappointing end and all he wanted was a fresh start. It was not about how long the contract would be. All he wanted was an opportunity to play again and, more importantly, enjoy his football.
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At the SuperSport awards on Monday night, Hlatshwayo looked back at his decision to join SuperSport with so much pride and joy, as he scooped the Player of the Season award ahead of Grant Margeman and Siphesihle Ndlovu, the two other nominees for the prize.
"I was not expecting to win anything tonight. I came here to support and congratulate all the winners. I thought TT (Thatayaone Ditlhokwe (would win it), but I am honoured because it shows what type of coach Gavin Hunt is. He is a coach who believes in me because I won the player of the season at Wits too and I won the (Absa Premiership) defender of the season when we won the league in 2016/17. He is a coach who believes in me and revived my career," Hlatshwayo said.
"I think what I went through (at Pirates) was worth it. I came from Bidvest Wits. I was the national team captain. Everything was going well for me. I think, as a player, that's what I needed. It was worth it.
Hlatshwayo, who made 23 appearances and scored one goal in the DStv Premiership this season, will be at the heart of the SuperSport defence again next term after the club triggered the option in his contract.
The contribution is being appreciated, though I know that there were a lot of things like 'how he is going to play?' But my contribution was appreciated and it gives me my confidence back. With my contribution, I was given a contract and it's about me returning the favour."
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The 33-year-old has admitted he was not too concerned about getting a one-year deal at SuperSport. All he wanted to do was revive his career.
"I wanted to do what I love, because I had negotiated a pay out at Pirates and I wanted to revive my career. At that time, all I wanted was to be on the field, and with Gavin Hunt. That's all."
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