Cape Town City midfielder Thabo Nodada says he is happy to be on the field after his long injury spell on the sidelines.

The 24-year-old made his return to action and managed to score two goals against SuperSport United in their previous Absa Premiership encounter at the Mbombela Stadium last weekend.

Nodada will be one of City’s key players when they take on Arrows in their next league encounter at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday and the diminutive midfielder insists that he has become more conscious about my body and his fitness.

‘Obviously you’ve got a lot of time to think‚ a lot of time to watch‚ you’ve got a lot of time to analyise yourself and see what you can be better … for yourself‚ for the team‚’ Nodad said.

‘Every opportunity‚ whether it be five minutes or 10 minutes‚ counts much more because of the time that you were out.’

‘It changed the way I view football‚ it changed the way I think about my body. I’m more conscious about my body and the benefits that a good body brings to the game.

‘Just being out there for the first time in months‚ I felt no stress‚ no pressure. Whatever happened I was just happy to be on the field.

‘It felt good‚ my body felt really great‚ my mind was in the right place‚ my teammates were there for me‚ the coaches were there for me‚ it was a good day and to get the goals was the cherry on top.’

The Citizens currently occupy 10th place in the league standings with six points, but Nodada believes his side can contend for the title this season, despite having won just one out of their first five games.

‘Just keep fit‚ keep playing‚’ he added.

‘Everyone at Cape Town City has said we have to go for everything this season. It cannot be an ‘almost’ season.

‘I’ve been here for four seasons and every time we’ve been contenders‚ contenders‚ contenders.

‘This time round‚ despite the results we’ve had in the first five games‚ there needs to be a turnaround and we need to go for the league.’