Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Kagisho Dikgacoi has admitted he was delighted to get his Crystal Palace career off to a winning start over the weekend.
After joining from Fulham on loan last week, the Bafana Bafana midfielder made his debut for the Championship side in Saturday's 1-0 victory over relegation rivals Sheffield United.
He will now face his international captain Aaron Mokoena when the Eagles clash with Portsmouth on Tuesday night and Dikgacoi revealed he has settled in well in south London.
"I only started training with the team on Thursday so it was difficult but it was a good win that the team really needed," the former Golden Arrows star exclusively told Football365.co.za.
"Sheffield United really attacked us in the first half but we defended well and after the break it was much better. I was so pleased to get a win on my debut.
"I haven't been playing for quite a long time but I didn't show any signs of being unfit.
"Obviously it will take a few more matches until I am back to my best shape so I'm looking forward to working hard and getting back to where I was before."
Dikgacoi added: "I'm looking forward to the match against Portsmouth and putting in the amount of effort we did on Saturday. Or perhaps even more."
After making just one substitute appearance for Fulham all season under Mark Hughes, Pitso Mosimane's decision to drop 'KG' for Bafana's 2-0 friendly win over Kenya finally paved the way for him to join Palace.
Dikgacoi is now targeting a return to the starting line-up in time for next month's crucial African Nations Cup showdown with Egypt.
"What I need most is game time - if I don't play for my club then I will not be selected for the national team," he added.
"I know that my Bafana place is under threat so I had to make the move.
"Lots of people have been saying that Egypt are dead and we are going to beat them but we know they are still a very good team.
"They have excellent players but it should be a really good game. We know if we win it then we have almost qualified for the finals."
After joining from Fulham on loan last week, the Bafana Bafana midfielder made his debut for the Championship side in Saturday's 1-0 victory over relegation rivals Sheffield United.
He will now face his international captain Aaron Mokoena when the Eagles clash with Portsmouth on Tuesday night and Dikgacoi revealed he has settled in well in south London.
"I only started training with the team on Thursday so it was difficult but it was a good win that the team really needed," the former Golden Arrows star exclusively told Football365.co.za.
"Sheffield United really attacked us in the first half but we defended well and after the break it was much better. I was so pleased to get a win on my debut.
"I haven't been playing for quite a long time but I didn't show any signs of being unfit.
"Obviously it will take a few more matches until I am back to my best shape so I'm looking forward to working hard and getting back to where I was before."
Dikgacoi added: "I'm looking forward to the match against Portsmouth and putting in the amount of effort we did on Saturday. Or perhaps even more."
After making just one substitute appearance for Fulham all season under Mark Hughes, Pitso Mosimane's decision to drop 'KG' for Bafana's 2-0 friendly win over Kenya finally paved the way for him to join Palace.
Dikgacoi is now targeting a return to the starting line-up in time for next month's crucial African Nations Cup showdown with Egypt.
"What I need most is game time - if I don't play for my club then I will not be selected for the national team," he added.
"I know that my Bafana place is under threat so I had to make the move.
"Lots of people have been saying that Egypt are dead and we are going to beat them but we know they are still a very good team.
"They have excellent players but it should be a really good game. We know if we win it then we have almost qualified for the finals."
