Manqele: I am fighting hard for my position

[FearLess]

Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs forward Edward Manqele claims being transfer listed in the off season has motivated him to prove doubters wrong this term.

After scoring 11 goals in his debut Premiership campaign in the 2011/12 season, the robust forward attracted the interests of big clubs across South Africa.

However, after rejecting Chiefs for Mamelodi Sundowns he ended up spending a season on loan at Maroka Swallows, where he impressed again with 10 goals in 24 games.

Despite his good form and on a lucrative five-year deal with the Brazilians, the diminutive striker was unable to make the starting XI at Sundowns and was soon sent to Chippa United.

And barely six months later, he finally joined Chiefs, but in poor physical condition and with one goal in 17 games last season, Amakhosi decided to transfer list the 29-year-old.

Nevertheless, it seems as the South Africa international has worked his way back into Steve Komphela's plans with five appearances in the new campaign and now Manqele claims the goal scoring form will return with his match sharpness.

"I'm getting there because I'm getting game time now and I am fighting hard for my position. So I told myself that I have to push harder this season so that I can play," he told the SowetanLIVE.

"I'm still getting there, because I was out for six months with injuries last season. I was not playing, so it was difficult for me to get back but the coach has confidence in me. Hopefully, I will start to score goals again.

"Well, I didn't play much last season, and [Chiefs] putting me on transfer maybe made me realise that I need to work more harder to convince the team management that I belong here ... and this is where I want to be.

"I think they are the ones who know why they put me on transfer, but I told myself that maybe it was because I didn't play much last season."

Meanwhile, Manqele will be hoping he will get to feature for Chiefs in the Macufe Cup on Sunday against Bloemfontein Celtic