Mashiane: 'I never dropped my head, that's why I am at Chiefs today'

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs defender Happy Mashiane says he never gave up on his dream of playing at the highest level.

"It feels good to be back. I hope to continue where I left off last season. People expect a lot from me, so I do not want to disappoint," Mashiane told SowetanLIVE.

"I started playing football when I was very young, playing for an amateur club called Tembisa Black Pirates in Tembisa.

"After that, I went to the Sundowns academy, but I stopped when they relocated from Chloorkop to Pretoria."

The Tembisa-born saw his dream almost go up in smoke when the Brazilians moved their academy from Chloorkop to Pretoria but was then handed a lifeline by Chiefs.

"I never dropped my head and I think that's why I am at Chiefs today," said Mashiane.

"I am still the same Happy I was when I was still playing in the MDC (the reserve league). I am a focused boy, who listens to his parents (Mable and Emmanuel Mashiane).

"My mother always tells me to be mindful of fame. She has made me understand that I am a role model now, meaning I must be disciplined on and off the field."

Meanwhile, Amakhosi are back in action this weekend against Cape Town City in a Telkom Knockout Last 16 encounter.

Kick-off is at 15:00 on Saturday.

- TeamTalk Media