Mokgakane returns to Tuskers a more experienced player

The ACDC Express Tuskers have bolstered their squad for the upcoming season and will welcome back Andile Mokgakane to the AET Pietermaritzburg Oval after a few seasons in Gqeberha with the Dafabet Warriors.

Mokgakane returns to KwaZulu-Natal a more experienced player after shining for the Eastern Cape outfit this past season and will be eager to continue his rise with the Tuskers as they rejoin Division 1 this season.

The former Northwood pupil was recently part of the SA Emerging squad that travelled to Bangladesh for an exciting tour and the 25-year-old is excited to link up with his Tuskers teammates for the pre-season.

"I’m over the moon about meeting up with the guys," Mokgakane said. "It’s a very good squad with quite a few experienced players and I can’t wait to begin with the preparations because I have a very good feeling about this coming season."

After a stint with the Tuskers before heading to the Eastern Cape, Mokgakane is looking forward to heading back to KwaZulu-Natal for the next chapter of his career.

"Pietermaritzburg is a place I enjoyed quite a bit when I played for the Tuskers and to see some of the players I played with are still there makes me excited again.

"My time at the Warriors was an unbelievable experience and I felt it was time to move on.

"It’s always great to play for a home team, and with the Tuskers being close to home is a cherry on top."

It was an important period of his career in Gqeberha as Mokgakane grew as a player and he has some distinct goals that he has set for himself on his return to the provincial capital.

"I’m really looking forward to winning games for the team. I want to continue improving and to take a lot more responsibility whether it’d be with the bat or with the ball. I feel in the last couple of seasons I haven’t had enough opportunity with ball," he added.

With some high-level exposure as well as caps for the SA Emerging side, Mokgakane hopes to make that experience count this season.

"I’m glad I’ve had a bit of a taste of Division 1 cricket and I enjoy the competitiveness of it.

"My goals for the upcoming season are to put that experience I have to good use; and winning a Division 1 trophy is definitely one of my goals."

The Tuskers have welcomed a number of high-profile cricketers for the new season with Daryn Dupavillon, Wayne Parnell and Hardus Viljoen a few of the names that will call Pietermaritzburg home this season.