Local boy Kulegani ‘Chillies’ Madondo can surely be counted as one of the top, if not the best player to have emerged from the Maritzburg youth ranks.

The 21-year old made his debut as far back as the 2008/ 2009 season and has grown with stature ever since.

Today his industrious and commanding displays in the centre of the park make him one of the best exponents of the holding midfield role in the country, with an SABC commentator continuously referring to Madondo as ‘My Favourite Person’!

He is not overly flashy, but rather keeps his game simple and effective, with neat passes, good distribution and excellent ball-winning skills, never allowing his opponents a moment of breathing space.

Chillies appreciates the recognition his play has received, but is firmly focussed on taking his game to even greater heights.

“I’m proud of what I have achieved, and I’m happy as a local boy from Howick but I still have a long way to go. Every team you play for there is always pressure and I appreciate the importance of staying on top of my game,” he told the Maritzburg website.

“Its always been my strength to commit myself, to give 120%. There are still a lot of areas for me to improve, but I think I’m on the right path, especially under the current coach, I believe he knows how to get the best out of me and that I will grow as a player.

“People have complimented me on my performances, but I’m not yet satisfied – I have to keep training hard and working on my game, one can never say you have reached the level you want, there are always areas to improve on. Its just a matter of me focussing and making sure I do the right thing.”

For Madondo, the nature of the opponent, or indeed the location of a game, makes no difference, for him, the bottom line is to perform at optimal level.

“I don’t have any particular opponents that I look forward to testing myself against – any player in the PSL is a good player, and for me it’s just important to do my job.

I’m interested in doing well as a team and doing well is a player. It doesn’t make any difference to me, whether I play Cape Town or Limpopo. As a professional I need to adapt to wherever I’m playing, even if its in Africa or overseas,” added the Under-23 South African international.