'They told me I was past my prime,' says Grobler on silencing Kaizer Chiefs

Sekhukhune United are reaping the rewards of their investment in experienced striker Bradley Grobler. His strong start to the season has propelled them to the top of the Betway Premiership log.

Grobler etched his enduring class into another chapter of his career, inspiring Sekhukhune to not onlyend Kaizer Chiefs’ unbeaten start to the season—becoming the first side to pierce Amakhosi’s defence this campaign.

The 37-year-old striker was the heartbeat of Babina Noko’s 3-1 triumph at the FNB Stadium, scoring a goal in each half to lift his side to the summit of the Premiership with 16 points, two more than second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.

While Chiefs entered the contest hoping to stake their claim as early challengers, they were handed a harsh lesson by a Sekhukhune side whose unbeaten run remains intact, and their ambitions now harder to ignore.

Grobler, who has slipped seamlessly into Eric Tinkler’s plans since his arrival from SuperSport United, has already silenced doubts over his age. His latest brace took his tally to six goals in nine matches across all competitions, underlining why the veteran remains one of South Africa’s most dependable strikers.

What made his performance even more remarkable was the battle he fought before kick-off, as he revealed afterwards.

“It felt great, I have to be honest,” Grobler said.

“I haven’t trained in the last four days because I had chest and throat infections, so I arrived in camp on Monday and played. I am glad it went our way. I thought in the first half we could have done more, but credit to our boys for the fighting spirit.

“The game plan from the coach was top-notch, and all credit to the team.”

For Grobler, there was also a touch of personal satisfaction in the win.

“Sometimes it’s nice scoring against teams that told you that you were old and past your prime five or six years ago; it feels good to be scoring against such teams, but I am just happy for our team.

“Tonight was a big performance; it was a performance that will probably get people to take us more seriously, but we do not want to put that pressure on ourselves. We obviously want to go out and win every game, and we would like to fight for the league.

“This match was a big stepping stone. It’s a long way to go, but we are just going to go out and keep doing what we did.”

Tinkler’s decision to bring in the former Bafana Bafana forward is proving inspired. While eyebrows were raised at signing a 37-year-old who is injury prone, Grobler has responded with goals and consistency, reaffirming his place among the league’s finest finishers.

With 123 Premier Soccer League goals in his career so far, Grobler has long considered Kaizer Chiefs one of his favourite opponents, having netted 12 times against them — nine in the league and three in other competitions.

And while he insists he carries no grudge, Grobler did not hesitate to remind Amakhosi of their earlier judgment.

“It’s nothing against the team, but the nice thing is it’s a team that told me I am past my prime, so it feels nice.”