Dumisani Zuma

Kaizer Chiefs star winger Dumisani Zuma was reportedly arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. ©/BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs’ Zuma earns plaudits from teammate

Kaizer Chiefs super-sub, Dumisani Zuma has raised his hand for a starting place in the upcoming Soweto Derby.

Dumisani Zuma

Kaizer Chiefs star winger Dumisani Zuma was reportedly arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. ©/BackpagePix

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Dumisani Zuma might just require some special attention from Orlando Pirates in the Soweto derby, after starring against Chippa United in midweek.

The 24-year-old has mostly operated from the bench under coach Ernst Middendorp but, on Wednesday, he justified a rare start by bagging a brace to put away the Chilli Boys in their own backyard.

Dumisani Zuma raises hand for Soweto Derby berth

With form and confidence on his side, he could be in within a shot of making the first XI this coming Saturday, as Amakhosi brace to host their biggest rivals at FNB Stadium.

Zuma’s heroics have impressed at least one member in the Chiefs camp in teammate, Lebogang Manyama, who sang the player’s praises ahead of the Derby.

“He is one of the players who amazed me when I joined Chiefs,” said Manyama.

“I had known him for quite a while but when I trained with him I got to see how good he really is. He eventually had to get out of his shell because he knows we keep supporting him. We kept believing in him.”

Lebogang Manyama

Zuma arrived at Chiefs from Bloemfontein Celtic at the start of the 2017/18 season.

He enjoyed a bit-part role under former Chiefs coach Steve Komphela, but was more of a regular starter after the arrival of Italian tactician, Giovanni Solinas. 

Kaizer Chiefs teammates push super-sub in “right direction”

The match in Port Elizabeth saw him make his first start of the season, after coming off the bench in eight of the nine league matches played prior.

The player has played a pivotal role in the club’s second-half bursts, which have been a constant feature in their impressive start to the campaign.

Manyama hopes to see his teammate continue in a similar vein.

“When it comes to Zuma there is so much talent and so much to improve on. We try to push him in the right direction. He has come on as a substitute in so many games and changed games for us. When the time came for him to start he did very well and I hope he continues the same way.”

Lebogang Manyama

Chiefs and Pirates play their second derby in the space of seven days, after clashing in the Telkom Knockout, where it was Amakhosi who prevailed after a penalty shootout.

Kick off on Saturday is at 15:00.