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Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Willard Katsande admits that he takes nothing for granted after turning his life around.
The Zimbabwean has been a revelation for the Black and Gold since joining the club from Ajax Cape Town in 2011.
Katsande has helped guide the Sowetan giants to two Premiership titles as well as an MTN8 Cup in his 118 appearances for the club.
In a recent interview with KickOff magazine, the 30-year-old explains what it needs to be a success at Naturena and what drives him on a daily basis.
"It takes character and a big heart," said Katsande after being asked what it takes to be a hit at Chiefs.
"What I have been through in life has taught me to be grateful for every opportunity I get. I lost my father when I was nine and life suddenly took a sharp curve downwards for me so much that my mom - who was not educated - could not afford to buy us a loaf of bread.
"I then became a vendor and would have to leave what I was selling on the streets and to attend football training. At one point I stayed in the rural areas and would wake up at 3am to work in the fields.
"I don't want to be back in poverty again and struggle the way I did. When I joined Chiefs a close friend said to me, 'let us hope that you will not be the first Zimbabwean to be a failure at Chiefs!' Those words stuck with me and even though he was joking, I realised that in every joke there is element of truth."
Meanwhile, Amakhosi will face Maritzburg United in a Telkom Knockout Round of 16 clash on Saturday, October 22.
Kick-off is at 20:15.
