That TS Galaxy have been amongst the best teams in the DStv Premiership this season is no surprise. They have had the same coach in Sead Ramovic for the last three seasons and maintained a consistent squad that has gelled into a well-oiled machine. A key cog in that machine has been former Marumo Gallants player Thato Khiba. The pintsized star, in his first season with The Rockets, has been restored to his natural position as a midfielder, a place where he earned his nickname 'General'. Khiba has been a marvel for the Mpumalanga-based side, and continued his rich vein of form that he displayed with Gallants last season. Speaking to Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver, the 27-year-old sheds light on his bright campaign so far and being restored to his natural position.
Delmain Faver: Thato, thanks for speaking to us again. You are closing in on a year as a TS Galaxy player, how would you describe your time with The Rockets so far?
Thato Khiba: My journey as a TS Galaxy player has been exciting. From the day I went to sign, the chairman (Tim Sukazi) was very welcoming, and I saw in him, I'd have a father away from home. The coach, his technical team as well as the players, have been a great support system. I truly feel at home.
DF: For a lot of players, the only time they see their club chairman is when there are meetings, or when it's time for contract negotiations. With you, it's different, as the chairman is very hands-on. Would you say this has a positive, or negative effect on the overall morale of the camp?
TK: Our chairman is like a father- figure to all of us, and he's very hands-on. Actually, I was quite surprised to learn that he comes to every game, and cheers us on in the stands, and that keeps us highly motivated
DF: We have seen early on in the season that the coach, Sead Ramovic, opted to use you as a midfielder rather than right back, where you played for Marumo Gallants. How was the return to your normal position?
TK: I appreciate the fact that the coach has seen great potential in me playing in the midfield. Since I grew up playing as a midfielder, it was not as difficult to move back to that position.
DF: What would you say is your best position?
TK: In all honesty, I don't have a best position because I am very versatile, so I believe I can play in any position that the coach puts me.
DF: Would it be presumptuous to say that the 2023/24 season is your best so far in terms of goals and appearances? You have scored two goals and created two in 16 appearances.
TK: This season has been my best season so far and I am very glad to have scored goals thus far.
DF: You scored your first DStv Premiership in February against Golden Arrows, can you share your thoughts on that?
TK: Getting my first goal against Golden Arrows was the best feeling, it gave me hope and faith that I can continue to score more goals, if I push myself to the best of my ability.
DF: Your performances seem to be attracting Gauteng's biggest clubs once again, what do you make of the reported interest in your services from the 'Big Three'?
TK: I have seen that on social media, but I haven't really put my mind to it because I have been focused on the league. Plus, my agent hasn't really touched on anything about that so, I wouldn't know.
DF: You have formed a good partnership with Higor Vidal in the middle of the park. How would you describe playing alongside the Brazilian?
TK: So far it has been good, and I've actually learned a lot from him. And also, I would play with any other player just like Mpho Mvelase who's a senior player that I actually played with in my previous club Marumo Gallants and I'm also learning a lot from him as well.
DF: There seems to have been an upturn in the club's results following your return from Europe, which is said to have been a massive success. Which lessons did you as a team bring back from your travels abroad?
TK: I think the trip abroad has really made us closer as a club and helped us as the players to develop a brotherhood. We got the opportunity to try new combinations and moves that the coach implemented, and that has resulted in us performing better in the DStv Premiership.
DF: Coach Ramovic has spoken about the hunger displayed by the younger players and a willingness to learn. Is this the reason why the club has been getting good results?
TK: Yes, the willingness to learn and to succeed is what drives us to continue performing the way we do, and you know great determination and hard work brings nothing but success.
DF: The team currently finds itself in 5th position on the DStv Premiership standings, which puts you within touching distance of CAF football next season. What would it mean to the club to reach continental football next season?
TK: It would be an honour for us to play in the CAF Champions League, and we are honestly gunning for that. CAF brings great experiences, (allowing us to) showcase our talents with other teams from Africa. I would love to see us play (in) CAF because I've had the opportunity of playing (in the) CAF (Confederations Cup) with my former team Marumo Gallants and would love to experience it again.
DF: Would the size of the squad to compete in CAF be an issue – because you guys have one of the smallest squads in the DStv Premiership?
TK: Yes, the size of the squad is small as you say, but I believe the management and the technical staff will work hard to make it work.
TS Galaxy coach Sead Ramovic on Thato Khiba
"Thato can become the best midfield player in our league. When he came to us, he told me that he played on the right back. For me, he is not a right back, actually, he is top quality when it comes to technique. He can see things better when he's central. And when he came, he struggled with our training intensity. But after a while, when he saw that this was the only way where he could improve, seeing other players who had improved and probably receiving feedback from them that if you don't work hard, you will be replaced. And this is a great thing. He started to train very well, and he began to excel in a lot of things. When excellence becomes a habit, it defines who you are, and this is who he is. He is very good for our team. He is a fantastic player and I think, at 27, he's got a lot of years in front of him. I'm sure that he will improve even more and become the best midfield player in our league."
THATO KHIBA FACT FILE
Date of birth: 5 August 1996
Place of birth: Soweto, Gauteng
Nickname: Mbese Mbese/ General
Jersey number: 12
Position: Midfielder/Right back
Club: TS Galaxy
Previous clubs: Kaizer Chiefs youth, Uthongathi FC, Baberwa FC, Marumo Gallants Honours: 2021/22 Nedbank Cup runner-up (with Gallants)
