The 29-year-old was seen largely as a cover signing when he arrived from Bidvest Wits in 2010, and it has taken him the better part of three years to win over the fans.
But, in a wide-ranging interview in the latest edition of KICK OFF Magazine (issue 448), Mashamaite insists he is focused on impressing the right people and continuing his improvement.
“For me it was about winning the heart of Stuart Baxter first and then win the hearts of my teammates,” he says. “If I can convince those then I don’t have to prove myself to anyone, be it the fans or the opponents.
“As long as I can prove to my teammates that they can go to war with me, then I’m okay.
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“It has been tough for me, the way the fans related to me. Now they are slowly warming to me, which is a positive thing. However, I have to say that what matters most for me are my teammates and my coaches.
“To have someone like Doctor Khumalo constantly telling you that you have what it takes to play at Chiefs is what counts instead of people who just want to put me in a negative space … why worry about the noise from the streets when you have people who know and understand football reminding you that you are not here by mistake?"
You can also get a digital copy of the magazine HERE!