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Cape Town - Emerging star Lorenzo Gordinho insists he never doubted his ability, even when he spent extended periods on the substitutes bench for Kaizer Chiefs.
Gordinho has gone from a bench-warmer to an integral part of the Chiefs defense where his absence is keenly felt.
That was the case when Amakhosi went down 2-0 to their arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup last 32 on Saturday, with Morgan Gould deputising in the absnece of the suspended Gordinho.
Chiefs coach Steve Komphela will have no such problems when the outfit travels to Phokeng to take on Platinum Stars on Wednesday, with Gordinho set to return from a one-match suspension.
Komphela, a former central defender himself, played a big role in Gordinho stepping into club's back four and solidifying it.
"I was a little anxious when I started playing regularly, especially since I was on the bench for the most part of my time at Chiefs," Gordinho told Vodacom Soccer.
"But there was never a moment where I doubted myself, even when my partnership with Tower (Erick Mathoho) was still new and it wasn't as strong as it could be.
"I had the backing of the coach which made it easy to settle in. Just like any pairing it took time for us to click and once it did we have been growing as a pair ever since then.
"The coach stressed the importance of us doing well because we are the backbone of the team, we have to bring stability."
