There's a scar above Bantu Mzwakali's left eye which he got when a gangster struck him with a brick in Gugulethu.

The Ajax Cape Town midfielder knew during his teenage years that he did not want to get involved in gangsterism because he wanted to live a better life through football.

"My man, it's tough out there," he says. "There is too much gangsterism. I was hit by a brick by another crew because they thought I was a gangster. My friends were gangsters but I was not. It's up to you to decide what you want in life. I told myself I want to become a star one day. The coaches of Ajax took me out of the township. I have taken my football seriously since then."

Mzwakali joined the Urban Warriors when he was 15 and now that he is in the first team, the 21-year-old hopes to emulate Thulani Serero and play in Europe.

"I went with Ajax to a tournament in Europe. It was my first time in Europe and I did not do well. When we came back they gave me a second chance and I did well. After a few games I became captain of the under-15s. I moved up to the under-17s until I got to the first team.

"I want to play in Europe and follow in the footsteps of Serero. First I have to do well in the PSL."

Mzwakali made 22 league appearances, had one goal and five assists as he kept 2013-2014 PSL young player of the season Keagan Dolly out of the starting line-up.

"It's been a good season for me. The feeling of playing in [the Nedbank Cup] final was awesome. It was a dream come true. Playing in the same stadium as Teko Modise and Khama Billiat was great."

Regarding reports linking him to Orlando Pirates, Mzwakali says: "I am still an Ajax player."