Young a team as Royal AM are, having bought their way into the top echelons of South African football two seasons back, it is fair to say Tshepo Rikhotso has been part of the furniture at the club. More so when considering that he had been part of the bought franchise, Bloemfontein Celtic, for a number of seasons anyway. Change of province, change of club name, yet still he remains the same old dedicated defender who wears his heart on his sleeve every time he steps onto the pitch. With the season reaching the home stretch, now more than ever the 30-year-old needs to continue showing what he is made of, what with the small matter of a contract renewal still to be finalised. His current deal expires in a little over two months from now, and the assumption is that he would love to stay at the side that has become home for him. Whispers, however, point him in the direction of Gauteng for his next move. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver, Rikhotso provides clarity on his future, reveals their ambitions as a team and reacts to the disappointing loss to Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals last weekend.
Delmain Faver: Tshepo, hard luck on last weekend's Nedbank Cup quarterfinals defeat to Kaizer Chiefs, where you guys came so close to taking the game to extra time. However, you were not part of the matchday squad. Why? Were you nursing an injury?
Tshepo Rikhotso: No, I'm very much fit hey. It's just that I missed the previous match (against Stellenbosch FC) due to some personal problems I had to attend to back home in Giyani and the team won, so I don't see any reason why they would change a winning team.
DF: Ok, we see. As someone who was watching the action from the sidelines, where do you think the plan came apart then?
Tshepo Rikhotso: We prepared very well for this game against Kaizer Chiefs, the boys did their best. We were just unlucky on the day (that) the result didn't go our way. It's sad, but we move and focus on the next league match.
DF: There are a lot of questions regarding the penalty that was awarded to the opposition, which proved to be a crucial moment as it decided the game. What's your take on it?
TR: With all due respect, my brother, I'd rather not comment on that one. I'm only a player.
DF: The Soweto giants have now gotten the better of Royal AM on two occasions in a row, after failing to get the better of you guys since then. Would you say Thwihli Thwahla's hoodoo over Chiefs has now been broken?
TR: I don't think so. Like I said before, we were just unlucky as a team and all we need to do is regroup.
DF: Moving on, Royal AM are still within touching distance of a Top Eight spot with five league games to go. Is that something you guys are aiming for?
TR: Yeah, we are aiming to finish in the top three this season. We wanna go back to CAF like last season. The motivation we get from our boss MaMkhize (Shauwn Mkhize) … she's the one who's encouraging us to win each and every game. It's cup finals for us these remaining games, we must go all out, but we must take each game at a time.
DF: The club finished in a very respectable third place last season. What do you think is needed for you guys to equal, if not better, that result this campaign?
TR: We did everything we could and we still are, you know, so I believe it's just a matter of luck hey. We really don't deserve to be where we are. Royal AM is a good team that has a good management and good coaches. I don't wanna mention the quality of players we have. So, yeah, we just need luck and there is still a chance to turn things around.
DF: Speaking of MaMkhize, she is one of the chairpersons in the league who really stand behind their teams, making sure to attend every game, and is very vocal in her support for the club. Do players see this as extra motivation?
TR: Yes, of course, that's an extra motivation. She's even come to training to watch us for the whole week. I know MaMkhize is a very busy person, but she manages to come watch us at training and as players that's an extra motivation and we are thankful for that.
DF: Moving over to you personally, you are having yet another good season for Royal AM with 20 appearances in all competitions so far. What's your take on your performances this campaign?
TR: I'm enjoying my stay here because the chairlady is supportive not only to me but everyone and also the technical team is very good to us. But with regards to my performance, I'm not satisfied. I feel like I could have done more to contribute, but I've had injuries here and there, which is a setback. However, I'm fit and healthy now.
DF: You are in a situation now where your future is a topic of discussion, given that you are in the last few months of your contract with the club. There is still a bit of football to play this season, but have you started giving it some thought?
TR: Yeah, me and my agent are aware of that situation you're talking about, but look, that's the least of my worries at the moment. The focus is to play more games and contribute to the success of the team. Hopefully we will sit down and finish the discussion of the new contract in the coming few days because the team has approached us already, but I don't panic. Like I've told you before, this is home and the chairlady is a good human being.
DF: That's fantastic to hear. Does it put a bit more pressure on you as a player when you know your contract is coming to an end, where you feel you have to give a bit extra to convince the club's management?
TR: I don't feel any pressure as an individual because I believe I've made my mark in South African football since my days at Bloemfontein Celtic. So, everyone knows what I can do on the field of play. Like I've said, me and my agent, we are aware of this situation and we will enter into negotiations with the team and give them first preference. I believe it won't be a train smash, you know. I'm here and I wanna be here. I believe in loyalty. I've had so many offers in my football career, but you know how many years I stayed with Bloemfontein Celtic. I was one of the longest-serving players at Celtic and you have never heard of a single bad story about me in the media, so that should ring a bell on what kind of a human being I am.
DF: When management approached you for talks, what was the proposal that they put on the table?
TR: I don't think I can be able to answer that because the negotiations are still ongoing. I don't wanna ruin things. Maybe the right person to answer that question is my agent.
DF: Well, usually it's clubs keeping players waiting until the last minute, especially here in South Africa, but in this case it seems to be the opposite. Aren't you worried the club might change their mind or find someone cheaper, playing in the same position, elsewhere?
TR: I'm not worried at all. Like I've told you, I've made my mark in South African football. People know what I'm capable of, whether I'm playing in my current club or not. But given a chance, I know I will deliver, so I'm not worried. Actually, thinking about my next destination is the last thing on my mind.
DF: True, your reputation has been clean. There were a lot of rumours in the past linking you with some of the big clubs. In fact, such speculation continues to this day. Does that prove to you that your hard work is being recognised both inside and outside Thwihli Thwahla?
TR: I've heard about those rumours, but nobody contacted us, so I will treat it like a rumour as you said. But it makes me feel good to hear that some big clubs recognise my contribution and would love to have me. That on its own is a motivation and it will make me work even harder to serve my team with flying colours.
DF: This season, you've been playing alongside a new defensive partner in Ricardo Nascimento, a seasoned professional in his own right. How have you found it?
TR: It feels good to partner with Ricardo, who has a lot of experience, and I've learned a few things from him, even though our partnership didn't last long with a change of coaches and formation. For sure, you have noticed I'm being used more as a right back, which I'm not, and not that I'm complaining. I actually don't mind playing as a right back because I have a bit of speed, you know, so I'm not struggling. Anyway, I believe a football player should be given any position and must deliver.
DF: The change of coaches, does it destabilise the players because, as you said, one coach prefers you as a right back while another sees you as a centre-back?
TR: Not necessarily so, because as a football player you need to be able to adjust very quickly to new tactics as every coach has their unique philosophy and does things differently. So, you need to be ready for such. I also believe that applies to most players also. So, to answer your question, no, it doesn't destabilise us.
DF: Your contribution also managed to catch the eye of the national team coach Molefi Ntseki, who called you up as a replacement for a 2022 Afcon qualifier against Sao Tome Principe back in 2020. Is getting into the Bafana Bafana squad still something that interests you?
TR: It's always every player's dream to represent their country. It's actually an honour and I know how it feels having represented the national U23s. So, coming to your question, yes, I'm starving to represent my country and I wanna double my effort next season to catch an eye of the national team coach.
DF: There has been talk of Bloemfontein Celtic rising from the ashes. As someone that enjoyed so many memorable years at the club, how would that make you feel?
TR: Eish, brother, to be honest, I haven't heard about it, but if it happens, I would be very happy, especially for the people of Bloemfontein. They are really something else and they deserve it. They have been good to us and they love football.
DF: Tshepo, thanks a lot for your time and we wish you all the best for the remaining games of the season.
TR: Thank you, my brother.
TSHEPO RIKHOTSO FACT FILE
Full name: Mbhazima Tshepo Rikhotso
Date of birth: 26 February 1993
Place of birth: Ndengeza, Limpopo
Nickname: The Giraffe
Jersey number: 22
Position: Defender
Club: Royal AM
Previous clubs: Vasco da Gama, Roses United, Bloemfontein Celtic
Honours: 2017 Telkom Knockout runner-up, 2019/20 Nedbank Cup runner-up, 2020 MTN8 runner-up (all with Celtic), 1 Bafana Bafana cap, 5 national U23 caps
