Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo says he is determined to consolidate his place in Amakhosi starting XI in the second half of the season.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper struggled for game-time last season, managing just one appearance as Reyaad Pieterse and Itumeleng Khune competed for a regular spot in goal.
Having made his Premiership debut for AmaZulu in August in 2010, he went on to join the Soweto giants in the 2012/13 season. However, the Umlazi-born shot-stopper has only featured 30 times for Chiefs in five seasons.
But with Pieterse having made a switch to Supersport United, Khuzwayo is currently competing with Khune for a starting berth, with Luthando Sixhaso currently the club's third-choice stopper.
"Look, I have a healthy competition with Itu (Khune) and I'm learning a lot from him as a seasoned campaigner with a lot of experience in the game. But at the same time every player in the team wants to be in the starting XI, but at a team like Chiefs, competition for a starting berth is always tight and when you get a chance you have to grab it with both hands," Khuzwayo told Vodacom Soccer.
"Yes, I'm happy that I currently get game-time, but I also realise that I haven't yet established myself as a regular and I'm still faced with a challenge to work hard to consolidate a place in the first place, and am prepared for it," added Khuzwayo, who has made five appearances this season since replacing an injured Khune in a 1-1 draw with Cape Town City in a Premiership encounter on 29 November.
Steve Komphela's men, who finished the year on a positive note, will resume their Premiership campaign when they host Free State Stars at FNB Stadium on 7 February.