Deon Hotto has in recent times been winning over Orlando Pirates fans but has always been the man trusted the most by all the coaches that have been with Bucs throughout his time at the club.
Hotto is into his fifth season at Pirates and has no competition in the minutes he has played since making that switch from Bidvest Wits.
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The Namibian has been on the pitch for every minute this season from all five matches played by the side to date, totalling 480 minutes.
All his appearances this season have been as a left-back and he has one goal to his name, scored in the 2-0 win over Cape Town City on Saturday.
Last term, Hotto played 41 games at club level and didn't get to play in only four anywhere along the left flank and delivered a combined eight goals/assists.
The season before, which was Jose Riveiro's first, he played 36 matches and only missed three with five goal contributions to his name.
Broken down, it means the 33-year-old has not been on the field in only seven of the 89 games that Pirates have played since Riveiro took over.
Impressive from a man who has modelled his game around dedication and application to his trade.
In the 2021/22 season under Mandla Ncikazi and Fadlu Davids, Hotto played 44 games with a return of 21 goals/assists playing further up in the attacking third.
He wasn't fielded in four games.
His first season – which was under Josef Zinnbauer – was another top hitter with 45 appearances and 17 goals/assists.
This comes down to a total of 171 appearances from a possible 185, giving him a 92% presence in terms of games played since he joined the Soweto giants.
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There is no other player who comes anywhere near, which highlights the value that Hotto brings at Pirates.
On the international stage, he has played every minute of the last 10 matches for the Brave Warriors.