Orlando Pirates wing-back Thabiso Monyane admits it was a bitter pill to swallow to be ignored for selection for the entire 2021/22 season.
The 22-year-old has been highly regarded for several years at Pirates and captained the DStv Diski Challenge squad, where he’s featured as a forward and a right-back over the past few seasons.
He’s also been a mainstay in the junior national teams where he featured at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup in 2019 before his first-team breakthrough under then-head coach Milutin Sredojević and his assistant Rulani Mokwena, who spoke glowingly about the player on numerous occasions.
However, after featuring 20 times in the senior team that season, he was used eight times in the 2020/21 campaign and not once under Faldu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi.
“Honestly speaking, last season, for me, was a mentally challenging one because I had to be mentally strong because I didn’t get a single minute in the first team you know,” Monyane said when asked by iDiski Times about his lack of progression last season.
“That was heartbreaking for me… but one person told me that I should never cry with both of my eyes closed, I should try with one eye closed because when the opportunity comes, you grab it with both hands.
“I feel like this season, when coach Jose came in, from pre-season I was working hard, I wanted to show that I was hungry and I’m ready to serve the club. I’m here today because of my hard work and mental toughness.”
Monyane is likely to be in the starting eleven this weekend for Pirates when they face AmaZulu in the MTN8 final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
