BONGANI MALUNGA
Zebras captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe has erased memories of last season’s nightmare end to the season which had seen him injured and frozen out of first team action by interim coach Andre Arendse at DSTV Premiership. Ditlhokwe, now under the tutelage of Gavin Hunt, appears to have regained his place in the club’s first team.
Regaining the team’s trust
The defender was named in the starting line up in Hunt’s first game back at the club as they drew 1-1 against Chippa United. He started the game with Thulani Hlatshwayo being his central defensive partner.
Ditlhokwe had to play as an emergency goalkeeper in the 90th minute after his teammate Ricardo Goss was sent of for violent conduct after lashing out at a Chippa United player. Fortunately for Ditlhokwe, he did not concede a goal in the final moments of the game as the score remained 1-1. By being in goal, Ditlhokwe displayed his ability to sacrifice and stand up for the team during moments of adversity.
Ditlhokwe has been a solid member of the club’s rearguard since joining them in January 2020. He was always the first name of former coach Kaitano Tembo’s team sheet before his departure. The defender then made only one appearance in the final four games of the season after returning from injury. His sole appearance under Arendse was a three minute cameo in a draw against Moroka Swallows.