AmaZulu rising winger Msindizi Ndlovu was all emotional to be selected in the starting line-up for the Carling Black Label Cup, saying he grew up in the family that struggled to buy a loaf of bread.
Ndlovu, who was promoted at the beginning of the season after he spent last term on loan at Uthongathi FC, was voted by fans to start against Mamelodi Sundowns in the semi final of the Black Label Cup at FNB Stadium on Saturday (9:30).
He was part of the Usuthu side that won the DStv Diski Challenge in the 2020/21 season under assistant coach Ayanda Dlamini.
Dlamini was the co-coach then along with Sboniso Vilakazi when the Durban-based side won their first major trophy in any level in the PSL era. They lifted the trophy at FNB Stadium, the venue where they will face the Tshwane giants.
“It means a lot to me and I’m happy that the fans see something in me,” Ndlovu told iDiski Times.
“I’ll try my absolute best not to disappoint them and do what I have been doing all along.
“And against Sundowns, I feel the stage is set for me to shine because I come from a difficult background.”
Ndlovu shone when Usuthu beat Stellenbosch FC just before they faced Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 final two weeks ago, setting up Larry Bwalya who latched on a screamer that beat Sage Stephens to see Usuthu coach Romain Folz finally win his first game in the PSL in the ninth attempt.
The 21-year-old, in what his first and only start so far, got the ball out wide at King Zwelithini Stadium later month, cutting inside before releasing it to the Zambian to riffle the winner in Umlazi.
Ndlovu, having come from a not so good background where all was not there for him, says he wants to make his family proud because as young man as he is, he’s a breadwinner at home.
“It was hard to even buy bread, but now things are getting better because I’m the one who is playing professionally and I’m the one who is providing for my family,” said Ndlovu who was emotional about his upbringing.
“So I don’t want to make mistakes because all eyes are on me. I want to stay away from wrong things and look after myself. But the pressure is there, but I’m used to it now.”
The other semi final will be contested by Orlando Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs also at FNB Stadium at 12 noon.
