Kaizer Chiefs: Blom wants to keep his feet on the ground

Breakout Kaizer Chiefs star Njabulo Blom is wary of allowing his recent successes to go to his head.

Blom has been the subject of effusive praise from coach Gavin Hunt and is one of the few players in Kaizer Chiefs’ ranks to have enhanced their reputation in a difficult season for the Glamour Boys.

Read: Five players Kaizer Chiefs should hang on to next season

However, Blom believes it is important for him to remain grounded and not allow praise from coaches and fans to get to his head and knock him off track. 

Blom and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo were recently voted as Toyota ‘player that has it all’ for December/January and February/March respectively, landing them sponsored rides for a month.

But Blom doesn’t want accolades and prizes to get in the way of his development as a footballer.

“I would say it’s a great feeling but then we as youngsters have to be careful in terms of how the fans hype us, it may make or break you. We just have to keep our feet on the ground and not be over excited,” Blom said at a small ceremony for the fan-voted awards.

Njabulo Blom troubled by red card

Blom has just the one regret from the campaign so far, lamenting the red card he picked up in Kaizer Chiefs DStv Premiership defeat to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in April.

“At some point, I think it was unnecessary for me to get the red card but I think it comes with experience, and I’m so thankful for the senior guys that have been guiding me and I’ve learnt from my mistakes,” Blom added.

Blom has made 41 first team appearances this season, including 15 DStv Premiership starts for Kaizer Chiefs.

He has been a surprise omission from South Africa Under-23 coach David Notoane’s Olympic plans, with the 21-year-old missing out on the 25-man squad to participate in a tournament in the United Arab Emirates against Brazil, Korea and Argentina.