Cape Town - Kaizer Chiefs defender Eric Mathoho says that after what has been a disappointing year for him, he plans to be back to his best in 2018.

A couple of untimely suspensions, not being at his best form, the failure to help his club win silverware and Bafana Bafana's unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign were some of the factors that made 2017 forgettable for Mathoho.

"If I look back on 2017, it wasn’t a good year for me personally, especially knowing what I can do," 'Tower' told The Star.

"But a player is not always on form. That was the case for me. I sat down and checked where to improve, where I was lacking.

"Sometimes things happen that affect you. The two red cards that I got affected me until I was right. I think now that I have rested, I'm fine.

"All of that is in the past now. I am looking forward to the future. 2018 will see the old Tower return," he promised.

The return to fitness of defenders Teenage Hadebe and Daniel Cardoso together with the emergence of exciting youngster Siyabonga Ngezana will, however, present Mathoho with a challenge of reclaiming a starting berth in the heart of the Amakhosi defence.

"The competition is high," admitted the 27-year-old. "For me to play regularly, I told myself that what I did in 2017 was not good enough, and that's why I sat down to talk to the relevant people so that I can bring back my game in 2018.

"I know it's going to be tough because everyone wants to play, but obviously I will fight to play."

The Chiefs defence has conceded only three goals in their last eight matches. The Glamour Boys return to action when they square up to SuperSport United on January 6.