There are players that toil like beavers in a football game, but sadly, few people recognise their abilities and their influence. One such footballer is Vusimuzi Mncube, who might not be a goal machine despite being a forward, yet his contribution to the success of Sekhukhune is enormous. Many will remember the attacker, who turns 30 on 6 September, as the slayer of Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium in early January when he scored the solitary goal, just as some will recall him as the man who received a red card in the opening game of the season against Mamelodi Sundowns. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Thomas Kwenaite, Mncube reveals how much the goal against Amakhosi meant to him and how coach MacDonald Makhubedu dealt with his moment of madness when he allowed a rush of blood to cloud his judgement against the Brazilians. Read on!
Thomas Kwenaite: First off, how did you feel about Banyana Banyana's heroic exploits at the FIFA Women's World Cup?
Vusimuzi Mncube: Banyana Banyana were amazing and are the pride of this nation. They continue to give us hope and inspiration. Despite being knocked out by the Netherlands during the Last 16 stage, it was a massive achievement for them just to get out of the group. For me, they've shown a lot of courage and resilience.
TK: What is it they are doing right which you feel Bafana Bafana could also learn from?
VM: I think once in a while, every country manages to assemble a group of players that are not only exceptional but can also be described as a Dream Team. In my view, this group is next to being that and more. They are very united. Watching them from a distance, you can feel their unity. It's as almost like they are a football club and not a national team. Their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude is also exemplary.
TK: Your maiden goal in the PSL came against Cape Town City. How did you feel when you finally broke your duck?
VM: Ha, ha, ha, it was actually against Baroka FC. It really felt so good. I actually had goosebumps. I was even emotional. That is how I felt, really, about scoring my first goal in the elite division.
TK: You also netted the only goal of the match to hand Sekhukhune United all three points against Kaizer Chiefs back in January.
VM: That one was very special. I remember receiving the ball outside along the right on the edge of the box and I connected cleanly to stick the ball past legendary Itumeleng Khune. I'll never forget that day. When I drove home, I kept playing my mother's and grandmother's favourite Gospel songs over and over again and, without realizing it, I felt tears rolling down my eyes. I was so happy! Over the moon!
TK: For a forward, your goal tally is very low. Are you happy about your overall goal return?
VM: Football is about scoring goals and, as a forward, your express purpose is to score. Scoring goals makes me very happy, but we never forget that football is a team sport and, for me, helping the team win even if I don't score makes me happier. While at JDR in the Motsepe Foundation Championship my coach used to fight with me a lot on this. He used to constantly say to me, "You need to score more!" But you see, I pass the ball a lot. But it's something that I've been working on currently with the head coach (Brandon Truter) and the newly appointed striker coach (Collins Mbesuma).
TK: Would you consider yourself more of a creative force than being an outright goalscorer?
VM: I received a few calls when I was still at JDR from some members of the club (Sekhukhune). They all made it abundantly clear to me that they wanted me here and what an important role they thought I could play for the team, and that lured me to them. Luckily, they got promoted and I was happy to be back with them in the topflight. I think there is a special role that I play here and (whether) scoring or creating, the bottom line is when your contribution is appreciated.
TK: In the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup, you will face Saint-Eloi Lupopo, with the first leg at home on the weekend of September 15-17. How much do you guys know about the DRC side?
VM: Currently, we don't have that much information. The games are simply coming thick and fast, so we are taking each game as it comes. The focus is solely on the game in front of us. Surely the week leading up to that game, our brilliant analyst will have something for us. I know this team is capable of so many things. We've set goals high and, in fact, we intend going all the way in the CAF group stage and then take it from there. That is what we have planned. In terms of who they are, I wouldn't worry much about them because, like I said, our Technical Analysis team will gather as much information as we will need.
TK: Great. You were previously with Chippa United…
VM: My stint at Chippa United is one part of my life I never really like to dwell into, let alone talk about. Maybe one day when all is said and done, I will sit down with you and talk about what really went down there. But right now, please forgive me, I do not feel that I'm in a space to talk about that period in my career.
TK: Fair enough. Are there some aspects of your game that you feel need improving?
VM: In life, you never stop learning. I am not arrogant to say I know it all because you learn something new every day. There are so many aspects of my game that personally I feel need to improve. I'm working on becoming a better player though and this can only be achieved through hard work. You've got to bear with me, but I cannot reveal what aspect of my game needs improving, that would be exposing my weaknesses.
TK: We know Babina Noko assistant coach MacDonald Makhubedu has a lot of faith in you, and so he must have been deeply disappointed about the red card you received against Mamelodi Sundowns in the opening game of the season.
VM: Ha, ha, ha, that's my coach. We fight a lot. He never wants to see me making a single mistake. He demands perfection from me even though in football you are prone to commit an error now and then. But that's how much he trusts and believes in me. And yes, we spoke about the red card and we also spoke very deeply about it. It is an incident I regret deeply and wish to take this opportunity to apologise to my teammates, the technical staff as well as everybody associated with Sekhukhune. In the end, the coach said it's all gone now. However, he strongly emphasized that I must put it behind me and make sure I come back stronger.
TK: How much have you learnt from him?
VM: I learn a lot from him every single day, even (on) matters about life outside football. Yes, differences will always be there, but I respect the fact that he will sit me down and guide me like any father-figure would to his child. He is one coach that makes you feel loved and wanted and consequently, you cannot help but feel that because he trusts you so much, you also need to reciprocate and give your all for him and the club.
TK: Tell us about the guidance you receive from senior players like Kamohelo Mokotjo.
VM: Now if there's one thing that helped me settle down quicker and hit my strides quicker, especially during the past season, I have to credit our senior guys like Daniel Cardoso, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Kamo Mokotjo, among others. They were unselfish in dishing out advice. Even though at 28 I'm no longer a youngster, they nonetheless went out of their way to help me a lot with my game. At times, they are very hard on me, but it's understandable because in the end, I believe I have grown, thanks to their advice and guidance.
TK: What has been the lowest point in your career?
VM: I am fortunate to have a great support structure around me and, during difficult times, I have been able to cope with whatever challenges I encountered. But in terms of football, my lowest point has to be my spell at Chippa United.
TK: Growing up in Atteridgeville, it must have been difficult for youngsters to realise their dreams considering that there are few professional clubs in the area. How did you get your breakthrough?
VM: Growing up, there was a popular tournament called the Lucas Moripe Goodwill Games. I think that tournament helped give some of us enormous exposure. A lot of people started knowing and talking about me from there. Teams like PUBS saw me there. Then I had to sign for (Orlando) Pirates from PUBS.
TK: Who did you admire while growing up in Pheli?
VM: All these older guys who used to play for Ledwaba Power Stars were my heroes. Then later, the same guys played for Jacaranda City, which really captured my imagination and helped me develop a liking to the sport. They were so good. I used to be a ball boy when they played home games. Naturally, the love of the game grew on me.
TK: Who has been a great influence in your career?
VM: So many times I wanted to quit the sport, especially after the Chippa United period, but my brother, Andile, kept encouraging me never to give up but to keep going. He pushed me harder and told me that winners never quit. That encouraged me and I'm glad I persevered, so here I am.
TK: Who is the player you model your game on?
VM: I won't lie, there's no one particular individual I model my game on. Yes, there's a lot of players that I admire in this game, but I don't model my game on any one of them. I learned very early in life that you have to carve your own path and not try to be a carbon copy of someone, because if you do that, you will never emulate that person and, secondly, nobody will take you seriously because you are not original. I want to be my own man!
TK: Thank you, Vusi, and best of luck.
VM: It was my pleasure, grootman (big man)!
VUSIMUZI MNCUBE FACT FILE
Full name: Vusimuzi William Mncube
Date of birth: 6 September 1993
Place of birth: Pretoria, Gauteng
Position: Winger-cum-forward
Jersey number: 10
Club: Sekhukhune United
Previous clubs: All Stars, JDR Stars, Chippa United, Jomo Cosmos
Honours: 2022/23 Nedbank Cup runner-up (with Sekhukhune)
