Johannesburg – With the season well underway and games coming thick and fast, Kaizer Chiefs defender Siboniso Gaxa says he wants to perform at a consistent level, which could see him back in the Bafana Bafana mix ahead of the upcoming Championship of African Nations (Chan) tournament.
“When you watch the best players in the world, you see them consistently playing on the same level,” Gaxa said on Wednesday, as Chiefs finalised preparations for their Telkom Knockout semi-final clash against Platinum Stars at the weekend.
“Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, they show you the same level each and every game they play. You ask yourself, what motivates them? Because they’ve achieved so much in their lives.
“When you get a chance to play football, it’s a short career, so you must make sure that you do your best in that short time that you have as a professional footballer.”
Gaxa has battled injury setbacks over the past eight weeks, but the former SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns fullback said he was ready for the hard work ahead, in a bid to get back to his best form.
“I would love to do more. I would love to be consistent and play on the same level each game I play. I’m working on that, so hopefully it will come my way,” he said.
“Unfortunately, there are a lot of obstacles. But I don’t want to have excuses. Sometimes you don’t rest enough, you don’t eat properly. If you don’t do those things, your game will be affected.
“But so far it’s getting better. Over the past two months, I’ve had injuries and it’s been difficult for me playing through injuries.”
Despite not featuring for the national team since early in the year, 29-year-old Gaxa was optimistic of his chances to make a return to coach Gordon Igesund’s outfit.
“I remember when I used to come from the national team, the energy is unbelievable,” he said.
“As long as you’re doing well at club level, anything is possible. The problem is, we are a big nation, we have a lot of players and we can’t have the same players for the next 10, 20 years.
“I’m just happy that I’ve been part of the national team, but like I said, anything is possible, I still have a chance of playing for the national team.” – Sapa