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Cape Town - Siyanda Xulu is looking forward to the added responsibility of captaining Maritzburg United in the upcoming season.
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The Bafana Bafana defender will lead the Team of Choice, with coach Fadlu Davids handing him the armband following the departure of Bevan Fransman.
The 26-year old revived his career under Davids after a difficult spell at Kaizer Chiefs.
"I’ve always had responsibility to take. I mean looking at the team last season and this season, I think I’m one of the most experienced players in the squad," Xulu said.
"I came to Maritzburg knowing very well the responsibility that is at stake. I think that it’s not going to differ from last season - the performance, the leadership and for us playing as a team," he added.
Xulu helped United to their highest ever Absa Premiership finish of fourth and a first final berth in the Nedbank Cup last term.
His stellar performances in the 2017/2018 campaign saw him awarded the defender of the season in the league.
In addition he made a return to the national team and was asked to skipper the side in the COSAFA Cup by coach Stuart Baxter.
Xulu still thinks that he can improve and wants to help Maritzburg build on last season’s heroics.
"I think I can only get better, we can only improve as a team. Last season was a season of maturity you know as a player and as a team. I think this season we are good enough and can improve even more."
With the addition of Denwin Farmer and the experienced, Nazeer Allie, Xulu is looking forward to once again forming good relationships at the heart of Maritzburg’s defence. He believes he can play anywhere across the back four.
"I’m one of the versatile players. As a defender I can play anywhere at the back, so the coach is just showing everyone what Siyanda is made of," the player concluded.
