For Lamontville Golden Arrows defender Siyabonga Dube, not winning the Nedbank Cup Young Player of the Tournament award at the PSL awards a fortnight ago was encouragement to work even harder in the new season.

"Not winning the award was a blessing because from now on I will work even harder. It would have been an amazing thing if I won but there were some positives. I am now encouraged to put in more effort in my game. For the fact that my work was recognised through the nomination, I am grateful,'' Dube told Sowetan yesterday.

The award was taken home by his Arrows teammate Nduduzo Sibiya and the 21-year-old feels he deserved it more and his achievements will serve as an inspiration to all Abafana Bes'thende players heading into the new Premiership campaign.

"Sibiya did very well in the Nedbank Cup and I was not surprised to see him winning the award. He is my friend I was very happy for him. The whole team was encouraged to work hard because that was a testimony that hard work pays," said the Durban-born right back.

Arrows have been consistent in developing their own players rather than buying big names and Dube, a product of this system, believes it is high time the club's development products lived up to their potential.

"The only thing we must do as young players [who have come through the ranks] is to reward the management by winning something this season.

"Arrows have shown belief in the young player and now we must try and win trophies to [show we] appreciate that.''