Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Nhlanhla Mathebula has shared a story about not being sure which change room to use on his first day at Naturena back in 2001.
Soccer Laduma got in touch with Mathebula, who now works for Virgin Active, to talk about his time with the Soweto giants.
The years
I joined the Chiefs first team in 2001 and I was there until 2002, when Doctor (Khumalo) and Ace (Khuse) were coaches. So, I was there for two years. It was great times, playing for a big team in Africa. I created a lot of memories while I was there.
How the move happened
Chiefs had trials for the reserve team. That was when they had the program of RAU and Kaizer Chiefs. I went for trials and I made it. I stayed there under coach Farouk Khan and the late Ace Ntsoelengoe. They were our coaches at the time. That's how I joined Chiefs, in the reserve team before going to the first team. The feeling of signing for Chiefs was the greatest ever. I remember I informed my father and everyone was happy at home, my mother, my sister and my relatives. Everyone was just happy. It was great times indeed.
The make up of the team
When I got to the first team, it was the year when Doctor was retiring. The likes of Thabo Mooki, Cyril Nzama, Arthur Zwane, Patrick Mabedi and (Patrick) Ace Mbuthu were there. Some of the other guys who arrived were Stanton (Fredericks), Shaun Permall, Marco Mthembu, Justice Sithole, David Radebe and Phumlani Mkhize. We had the Vodacom Challenge during pre-season. We had the best quality, from goalkeeper all the way to the striking department. We had Brian Baloyi as our number one goalkeeper, but he had stiff competition from Rowen Fernandez. There was quality in defence, in midfield and upfront. I was one of the youngsters, with the likes of Gerald Sibeko and Jabu Pule (now Jabu Mahlangu). We had to work our way through. The team was well balanced. Luckily for me, I was usually in the matchday squad and I would come in the second half. It was great times.
The rands and cents
It was not bad and it was not good either. We got something like R8000 or R10 000. At the time, it was not bad. Obviously, we were youngsters and we were not expecting much. We just wanted to play football, something that we loved. Back then, it was not all about money. It was about doing something that we loved and, to top it all, to play for one of the biggest teams in Africa. It was great.
My first day at Chiefs
It was nerve-wrecking. Walking into Naturena and not knowing which changing room. Luckily, the guys I was with at RAU told me which changing room to go to because the other one was for the senior players. Walking down the stairs and looking at the training pitch was a dream come true. It's something special and it will always stay with me in my heart.
My debut
I think my debut was in the Vodacom Challenge. I came on as a substitute, but I can't remember who we were playing against. But it was one of the teams in Africa. It was hectic. Your knees shake and your heart pumps at 1000 beats per minute. But the moment important thing is that first touch or that moment you win the ball for the first time and the crowd cheers you on. Then, everything eases up and you feel like you belong.
The best player I played with at Chiefs
I would say the best player was Patrick Mabedi. He was the best because if he sees you making a mistake, he would come to you and motivate and guide you on what to do next time. He would make you feel at ease. He was one of the best leaders I have played with.
Most memorable moment
It was scoring a penalty (during the shootout) in the BP Top8 final against Sundowns in 2001. Luckily, we won the cup. The sad part was seeing Mambush (Daniel Mudau) slapping Charles Mohlohi after the game because he did not want to take a penalty or something like that.
Lowest moment
I got offloaded before the late Ted Dumitru arrived, before he could even assess who he wants or doesn't want. That was the lowest moment. I felt betrayed. I felt sad, hence it took time for me to heal even after I joined Black Leopards.
