Royal AM attacking midfielder Kabelo Mahlasela says being “mentally strong” is what will be required from new Kaizer Chiefs signing Tebogo Potsane to withstand the pressure of playing for the most supported club in the country that is clamouring for success.
Potsane, to the surprise of many, was unveiled as latest signing by Amakhosi, joining from Royal AM and is likely seen as Khama Billiat’s successor.
Billiat has left Chiefs in the dark as Amakhosi offered him a new contract, having seen his original contract expire last month, but the player has not responded to it and is nowhere to be found.
As that situation left Chiefs with uncertainty, they have quickly signed Potsane, who is similar in profile to Billiat.
Mahlasela, who himself joined Chiefs in 2018 but was let go after two seasons, has now given his former Royal AM teammate some advice of what he must do to survive at Naturena.
“The advice I’ll give him is to stay strong. He needs to be focused, he needs to mind more of his game,” said Mahlasela.
“The good thing he needs to hear from friends, ex-colleague. I would say that because we have played together. So we talk besides football.”
After Potsane as well as Elias Pelembe departed Mahlasela is left alone in attack at Royal AM and he will need to form a new chemistry in the attack with someone else next season.
Mahlasela admitted that the duo’s departure is part of the game and he has to find someone else to build a new connection with.
“I wouldn’t say it is a big loss for me but yes I will miss playing with them, make no mistake, because we had a connection,” said Mahlasela.
“But I think I’m building a new connection with other players that are left. So I’m looking forward to this [new] season with the new players I have started building connections with.
“But it’s difficult for us as footballers to create chemistry and then you lose someone, but it happens in all aspects of life.
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“It’s not only football, but working in the office. You lose your colleague but you need to build another bond with another person who is next to you to make sure it works.”
