Royal AM co-coach Khabo Zondo says club chairman Andile Mpisane “is taking his football career very seriously” after he was named on the bench when the club lost 1-0 to Richards Bay at Chatsworth Stadium on Tuesday.
Mpisane, according to coach Zondo, has been training hard to be part of the team this season.
The 21-year-old surprised many as he was among the substitutes for the first time this season as AM lost to their provincial rivals, relinquishing their top spot at the same time to the newbies.
However, Zondo could not field Mpisane but said he will get his chance and people will be surprised how good he is.
Mpisane, who normally sits with his mother Shauwm Mkhize in the stands in matches, has been spending time with the team at Royal Ranch, the clubhouse in Pietermaritzburg, a clear indication that he wants to play this season.
“It’s a work in progress. We must give him a chance to get to the level of where we are.
“He’s part of our team,” said Zondo after he was asked by iDiski Times about Mpisane’s surprise appearance on the bench.
“He’s been training very seriously and this is another way of encouraging him to do more.”
Mpisane previously played for Royal Eagles, the club previously owned by his mother “MaMkhize” and her ex-husband Sbu Mpisane, in the 2018/19 Motsepe Foundation Championship season.
Last season he made a cameo run when Thwihli Thwahla beat SuperSport United 2-0 away in February.
However, there has been a negative perception about Mpisane’s talent, with videos of him on social media showing someone who is disinterested to affect the game but plays for fun, showboating and looking overweight.
But Zondo, who denied that playing Mpisane they are trying to save their jobs since he is an owner of the club, revealed that Mpisane has worked hard at training and it was warranted to see him on the bench.
“Let’s not count the chickens before they hatch, but let’s see when he gets an opportunity and you will make your own judgment,” said Zondo who was reluctant to delve further into Mpisane’s football career.
