VETERAN Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Willard Katsande, has warned his fellow Zimbabwean teammates to raise the bar or find themselves without jobs.
Amakhosi have four Zimbabweans in their foreign slot including the likes of Ovidy Karuru, Michelle Katsvairo and Edmore Chirambadare in their books.
Although, Amakhosi have made their neighbouring players feel at home, Katsande insisted they should not rest on their laurels.
Said Katsande: “I told them that it’s nice to play for Chiefs.
“It comes with a lot of rewards in life, but it also comes with a lot of pressure. Whenever you get a chance you need to perform.
“Every game at this club is like a cup final,” he said.
“As you guys came on board, there are other quality players who lost their jobs.”
Katsande went on: “Whenever you get a chance just raise the bar as you don’t know what tomorrow has in store for you.
“You should know that you’re a foreigner, you’re not here for a holiday or to chill.
“Most footballers in the continent want to be part and parcel of Amakhosi. So give it your best shot whenever you’re on the pitch,” he said.
Katsande added that being in the PSL since 2010/11 season has taught him discipline on and off the pitch.
“I always share my life history from where I came from, and it was not easy to reach this far.
I’m a breadwinner for my family, so you can’t let it go or lose your job just because you are lazy. Don’t be comfortable. Always aim high.”
Katsande hailed the Premier Soccer League for helping improve the standard of football in Zimbabwe which saw them qualify for next year’s Africa Nations Cup in Gabon.
Zimbabwe will be the only side to represent the 13 countries from the Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) in the continental competition.
Mzansi’s football fraternity will rally behind The Warriors as their beloved Bafana Bafana have failed to qualify.
Cuthbert Malajila, Khama Billiat and Tendai Ndoro are among PSL players who will carry Zimbawean flag high.
“We have respect for South African league. They have developed us as you can see when it comes to our national team everybody is performing well.
Obviously there will be pressure, but we are confident that we will deliver.
As soon as we overcome the group stages anything can happen.”
