Orlando Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki has hailed the impact of young Cape Town Spurs captain Chumani Butsaka but warned no favours will be given.
Xoki, 28, who hails from Cape Town township Khayelitsha started his career at Old Mutual Academy before his professional breakthrough at AmaZulu.
He’s now firmly one of the most consistent defenders in the domestic game, has captained Pirates and is on the fringes of the Bafana Bafana squad.
Meanwhile, Butsaka has been named captain of Spurs and led them to two wins in the DStv Premiership in his first two games with the armband.
“I’d like to congratulate the young man, he’s done well for himself, done well to uplift to the name of the Township he comes from, it’s always the goal of every young player who comes from the township that you take the name and improve the perception of the township,” Xoki said about the 22-year-old Butsaka.
“We all know how life is like, in terms of crime and drugs. So when you have players coming out of such situations, it gives us a moment of pride in terms of uplifting the township guys.”
Xoki suggested it would be huge for the young talent to help Spurs retain their top-flight status, but perhaps their quest for points should start after the showdown at Orlando Stadium tomorrow evening.
“For me, I can’t wish him the best [of luck] on Wednesday, we need the points, for him in terms of the future, I’d wish him all the best going forward because we had people we looked up to, as you mentioned Mark Mayambela was one of those,” he added.
“I hope he inspires the next generation too but on Wednesday, unfortunately [for them] we need the points.”
