For a defender who has played every minute of this season, it is surprising that Tefu Mashamaite has been booked just once.
The Kaizer Chiefs man's only yellow card of this season arrived a fortnight ago, when Amakhosi beat the University of Pretoria, blotting an otherwise remarkable copybook.
Perhaps that illustrates Mashamaite's reputation as a clean, assured defender who has made an immense contribution to Amakhosi's championship success this season.
Mashamaite said he was chuffed with his record, but that it wasn't something he planned.
"I'm not self-conscious about yellow cards and free- kicks I could give away," he said. "I know I have got just one yellow card this season but it's not like I go into games thinking I must avoid a booking or fouling opponents."
He conceded that good fortune played a role in his low card count.
"It was an element of luck. There have been times when I made a tackle that could easily have resulted in a yellow card. But the fact that I got just one validates the type of a player I am. We have the best defensive record in the league and this shows that myself and Tower [Mulomowandau Mathoho] have had a great understanding this season."
Chiefs will seek to extend their record for most points garnered in an Absa Premiership season when they host Mashamaite's former club Bidvest Wits tomorrow (FNB Stadium, 7.30pm).
The Chiefs skipper said the club had learnt harsh lessons from last year, when they surrendered the title to Mamelodi Sundowns despite having a healthy lead.
"We corrected the mistakes of the last time," he said, adding their failure in the CAF Champions League also had a positive spin this time.
"Last year we went into the third round of the Champions League, and the travelling affected us. But this time we were focused on winning the title."
Though he's been outstanding this season, Mashamaite refused to rank this as his best.
"Career highlights are something to look at when you retire. Right now, this is a journey, and every step counts. You could pick up diamonds along the way but it's only in the end where you sit down and reflect on that," he said.
This proves how good Tefu is
For a defender who has played every minute of this season, it is surprising that Tefu Mashamaite has been booked just once.
The Kaizer Chiefs man's only yellow card of this season arrived a fortnight ago, when Amakhosi beat the University of Pretoria, blotting an otherwise remarkable copybook.
Perhaps that illustrates Mashamaite's reputation as a clean, assured defender who has made an immense contribution to Amakhosi's championship success this season.
Mashamaite said he was chuffed with his record, but that it wasn't something he planned.
"I'm not self-conscious about yellow cards and free- kicks I could give away," he said. "I know I have got just one yellow card this season but it's not like I go into games thinking I must avoid a booking or fouling opponents."
He conceded that good fortune played a role in his low card count.
"It was an element of luck. There have been times when I made a tackle that could easily have resulted in a yellow card. But the fact that I got just one validates the type of a player I am. We have the best defensive record in the league and this shows that myself and Tower [Mulomowandau Mathoho] have had a great understanding this season."
Chiefs will seek to extend their record for most points garnered in an Absa Premiership season when they host Mashamaite's former club Bidvest Wits tomorrow (FNB Stadium, 7.30pm).
The Chiefs skipper said the club had learnt harsh lessons from last year, when they surrendered the title to Mamelodi Sundowns despite having a healthy lead.
"We corrected the mistakes of the last time," he said, adding their failure in the CAF Champions League also had a positive spin this time.
"Last year we went into the third round of the Champions League, and the travelling affected us. But this time we were focused on winning the title."
Though he's been outstanding this season, Mashamaite refused to rank this as his best.
"Career highlights are something to look at when you retire. Right now, this is a journey, and every step counts. You could pick up diamonds along the way but it's only in the end where you sit down and reflect on that," he said.
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