Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns defender Asavela Mbekile insists that he is not guaranteed a place in the starting line-up after departure of Ramahlwe Mphahlele.
Mbekile, 29, had been the second-choice option in the right-back position at the Brazilians behind Mphahlehle last season.
However, the industrious Mbekile is expected to stand a better chance of regular game-time after Mphahlehle joined Kaizer Chiefs.
"It doesn't mean because Rama has left it will just be a walk into the starting eleven for me," Mbekile told Soccer Laduma.
"I have to work even harder to make it into the team. At Sundowns there is no time to relax and think you got it. You have to keep on working each and every day and keep on improving."
Mbekile joined Downs from Moroka Swallows in 2014, and also counts Ikapa Sporting, FC Cape Town and Chippa United amongst his former clubs.