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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic has praised Justice Chabalala for stepping up on the big occasion despite zero game-time whatsoever last season.
Indeed, Chabalala's last appearance for the Buccanneers came in December 2017, with the 27-year-old Giyani-born defender not making a single appearance last season.
But Chabalala was voted by the fans to start in Saturday's Carling Black Label Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs and put in an assured performance at the heart of the defence to help his side to a 2-0 victory and their fifth CBL trophy.
And Micho has praised the centre-back for his unwavering loyalty to the side and the positive energy he shows despite not having played in such a long time.
"On Justice Chabalala, when you look from the point of human qualities and loyalty; knowing that so many teams have looked for him, he has shown an enormous amount of loyalty to the team," said Micho after the match.
"He has always been a generator of positive energy in the team, and him being voted for by supporters was not by accident, they have recognised the heart of the player from Giyani.
"And he needed personal man-management in preparing for this match, but having in mind on 21 October 2017, he played his first Derby, so this was like his second in a way."
The Serb tactician hopes that the game-time will give Chabalala an injection of confidence.
"We are extremely happy as a technical team with the players that have helped him to practically adapt and adjust to the team, the game and the challenges that this game brought," he added.
"He has knocked on the door, but in the same moment we have no right to judge one game as a finished product. There are many more games of this magnitude. I hope it will help him gain confidence because he has not played for many months.
"But coming today with a parachute into a match of this magnitude, we are extremely happy and proud of him and his performance today."
