Kaizer Chiefs defender Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya opened up about how he went from working as a herdboy to breaking into the Amakhosi first team.

The 23-year-old was one of the Chiefs’ standout players in their development ranks, which earned him promotion to the first team in January 2018.

Since being promoted to the first team, Ntiya-Ntiya has become one of the key players in the squad and has since made a total of 45 appearances across all competitions.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Ntiya-Ntiya explained what it was like growing up in the village Bizana in the Eastern Cape and how he progressed to the Amakhosi first team.

‘I was born in the Eastern Cape in the area called Bizana. I stayed with my great-grandmother. When she died, I moved to Durban and stayed in Umlazi township. My grandmother and mother were working in Durban,’ he said.

‘As far as I remember, I did everything that you can think of a village boy can do. Ukulusa izinkomo nokulima [cow herding and tilling the fields].

‘I was inspired by my brother. He was enjoying it and playing football looked cool. I played for a township team called Barsenal FC.

‘In 2013 I was scouted by SuperSport United Academy and moved to Pretoria. I enjoyed good years of learning at United before in 2016 moving to Kaizer Chiefs. Moving to Chiefs was a blessing in my life –until today I have never looked back.

‘I arrived in 2016 to play for Kaizer Chiefs’ reserves team. It was smooth to acclimatise because at SuperSport they also took youth development seriously.

‘But it took me by big surprise when I signed for the first team.

‘Everything changed. For starters, I was able to provide for my family back home. And that is a great feeling. My grandmother was able to resign from work because I was able to provide for her needs. There are many things that changed for the better. I am very grateful to Kaizer Chiefs,’ Ntiya-Ntiya concluded.