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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates fullback Ntsikelelo Nyauza has vowed to work hard to reclaim a berth in the first team's squad after falling out of favour in recent weeks.
Nyauza, who enjoyed a regular game-time last season, found himself further down the pecking order in Buccaneers' first team this term and was yet to make a single appears for Pirates so far.
Until Sunday's Premiership clash against Polokwane City where he made the 18-man squad and came off the bench to replace Abbubaker Mobara in the second half of a 1-1 draw League match.
"It's normal in the game of football that when a new coach takes over, he is bound to ring changes in the team's squad," the defender told Vodacom Soccer.
"Everyone in the team has to double their efforts at training to convince the new coach, whether they have been the regulars or not during the previous coach's tenure.
"And when I didn't make the first team's squad in team's four league matches, including the MTN8 quarterfinal against Wits, I didn't get frustrated because I knew my time would come as long as I kept on working hard at training.
"I have now finally played my first game in the first team's squad. And that has motivated me indeed to keep on working."
The 26-year-right back competes with Happy Jele and new arrival Thembela Sikhakhane for a starting berth at Bucs' right-back position.
"I didn't feel threatened at all by the arrival of Thembela, because I knew his presence would create a healthy competition amongst the team's right-backs," he explained.
"In fact, I'm ready for a healthy competition with anyone in the team's defence whether it's a right-back or centre-back position, as long as I will be contributing for the team's cause."
