I dodged a bullet - Walters

When he looks back at his decision to leave Maritzburg United at the end of last season, goalkeeper Shu-aib Walters grins and says "I dodged a bullet".

Last Friday night's man of the match performance against Bidvest Wits, which earned his club Black Aces a 2-1 victory and a temporary spot at the top of the table, gave him more reason to believe that joining AmaZayoni is exactly what he needed to resurrect his career.

The 34-year-old has played 11 matches in all competitions this season while Bafana Bafana goalkeeper and competitor Jackson Mabokgwane has featured six times.

"I look at a goalkeeper like Petr Cech (Arsenal) who is in the same age group as me. He jumped from one team to another, looking for a new challenge. I think that was what was going to bring the best out of me and it has worked. I used to joke in the last couple of months that I dodged a bullet. Maritzburg are struggling a bit right now," said Walters, who has conceded eight goals and kept four clean sheets.

"One of the reasons I am doing well is because I have someone who is pushing me and he's a world class goalkeeper. Jackson and I are good friends, but we compete at training and it brings the best out of both of us."

It's been an incredible season for Aces, similar to Leicester City's fairy tale in England. Like Leicester, Aces are in second place and level on points with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. They've got the hunger which could see them do the unthinkable. It would be one of South African football's greatest stories if they were to win the title.

"If you look at what's happening in England, Leicester City are up there and they are underdogs.

"So it's all about planning. We have a good team and a great coach (Muhsin Ertugral) who is helping us with our game plans.

"He pushes for perfection all the time and you can see the players are responding well," said Walters.