Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Keagan Buchanan says his current season at Maritzburg United has been the best of his career thus far.
The 28-year-old has been instrumental for the Team of Choice in the middle of the park, helping them establish themselves in the top six and also reach the final of the Telkom Knockout, which they lost to Mamelodi Sundowns in December.
It is Buchanan’s second season in Pietermaritzburg, although he only played 123 minutes last term due to a career-threatening knee injury.
After a slow start to 2019/20, he has now found his groove and is delighted to be back playing regularly under the guidance of Eric Tinkler.
Buchanan is currently preparing with his Maritzburg teammates to face up to former club Bloemfontein Celtic in the Nedbank Cup last 16 on Saturday.
It was at Siwelele where he initially made his name, prompting Amakhosi to swoop and sign him.
Even though he was a key figure during his time with the Free State side, he still believes that he has never had a season like this one, where all the elements have come together. He has played in 16 out of Maritzburg’s 22 games and is one of the first names on Tinkler’s starting list.
During his time at Chiefs, Buchanan never really fitted in. He spent two years at the Soweto giants where he worked under their former coach Steve Komphela, but only managed four starts.
Asked whether he wished he could have taken his current form back to his time at Naturena, the soft-spoken midfielder felt it would not have mattered because the two parties had contrasting styles.
With Buchanan currently one of the shining lights in South African football, there already calls from a section of fans and the media for the player to receive a Bafana Bafana call-up.
He is also undoubtedly going to be a contender for a Midfielder of the Season. But the player himself modestly plays down these murmurings.
– Report by Thahir Asmal
