Kaizer Chiefs attacking midfielder Lebogang Manyama has praised the work done by the club fitness trainer and coach Ernst Middendorp to ensure his fitness this campaign after an injury-hit first season at Naturena.

Manyama moved to Chiefs from Turkey amid much fanfare but endured a nightmare first season, hampered by a series of injuries as he played only 16 games across all competitions.

This season, though, the former Absa Premiership footballer of the season has scored seven goals and registered nine assists in 26 matches across all competitions so far. He is now a strong contender to claim the league’s main individual award for a second time.

The 29-year-old, speaking to Goal.com, praised Amakhosi’s fitness trainer, Jarred Marsh, as well as coach Ernst Middendorp for helping him achieve the heights he has this campaign.

‘Obviously, we worked so hard with the fitness trainer to make sure I stay away from the injuries that I had in my first season,’ Manyama said.

‘He works very well with all of us. I mean, we have had fewer injuries than we had this time last year. So, credit to him and also to the coach for working together [to get the best out of him].

‘I personally don’t really look at the numbers. What matters for me this season is to make sure that I try and put Kaizer Chiefs back to where it belongs and that takes one day at a time and one game at a time,’ added Manyama when asked about his form this season.

Chiefs sit in pole position at the top the table with 48 points from 22 league games while they have scored 40 goals – 15 of which Manyama directly contributed to.