Ayanda Nkosi says he joined Orlando Pirates fully aware that breaking into the team will take some doing.

Nkosi, 23, was in the picture early on in the season when he came off the bench against Golden Arrows and Bidvest Wits but he is now struggling to make the team.

"Competition is great because it brings out the best in all of us. Without competition, we cannot be a better version of ourselves," Nkosi reflected on his third month with the Buccaneers since he joined on a three-year deal from Free State Stars in July.

"I feel I will soon get my chance. I feel that we forget the moment that we are in and we tend to lose ourselves as footballers," he said.

Nkosi added that while he is focused on fighting for his place, he embraces competition with the likes of Tendai Ndoro, Thamsanqa Gabuza and Thabiso Kutumela for a place in the strike force.

"It's great because we are always pushing each other at training. Whether I play or not, as long as Ndoro, Gabuza or Kutumela is on the field and the team is winning, I cannot fight them because they are good players. You don't get to play for a team such as Pirates if you are not a quality player," Nkosi said.

"I'm very confident that I will get my chance because God has His timing. I feel I've got enough time and whether it takes me a year or two, when God puts me at the right place everything will just follow."

Nkosi scored five goals in 28 appearances for Stars last season.