Cape Town - Orlando Pirates’ Brighton Mhlongo says he is ready to step up to the plate and make the goalkeeping position his own.
Mhlongo has been tipped as the man to fill the big boots vacated by Senzo Meyiwa following the keeper's tragic passing.
The 23-year-old could face his first test when Pirates take on SuperSport United in a Telkom Knockout semi-final game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night, and he says he is ready for the challenge.
“It will be good for me. I have waited for an opportunity to play and now it looks like I could start, but we have a lot to graft still before the coach decides who to play,” Mhlongo told the club’s official website.
“I have been preparing myself really well for the opportunity to play here. Mentally I am prepared – in the development Prof Augusto Palacios prepared us nicely to stand pressure. So, I am prepared to play."
Mhlongo continued: “It has not been easy for us as a team, but we have gone through various phases of accepting Senzo’s departure and we are focused again.
“It will be difficult to match what Senzo did here, but I know I have something different to offer to the team and to the fans.
“I am not putting myself under pressure, because I know I will have to go through some tough times here before the supporters welcome me like they did to all the other guys who were successful goalies here."
Mhlongo has been tipped as the man to fill the big boots vacated by Senzo Meyiwa following the keeper's tragic passing.
The 23-year-old could face his first test when Pirates take on SuperSport United in a Telkom Knockout semi-final game at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night, and he says he is ready for the challenge.
“It will be good for me. I have waited for an opportunity to play and now it looks like I could start, but we have a lot to graft still before the coach decides who to play,” Mhlongo told the club’s official website.
“I have been preparing myself really well for the opportunity to play here. Mentally I am prepared – in the development Prof Augusto Palacios prepared us nicely to stand pressure. So, I am prepared to play."
Mhlongo continued: “It has not been easy for us as a team, but we have gone through various phases of accepting Senzo’s departure and we are focused again.
“It will be difficult to match what Senzo did here, but I know I have something different to offer to the team and to the fans.
“I am not putting myself under pressure, because I know I will have to go through some tough times here before the supporters welcome me like they did to all the other guys who were successful goalies here."