Considering the embarrassment of riches Orlando Pirates are blessed with in the midfield department, the news that they were looking to add Makhehlene Makhaula to their roster during the January transfer window was hardly believable. Add his age, all of 33 years of age, into the mix, and then you have a non-story. However, football, at least the behind-the-scenes facet of it, is much more complex than that, plus it can be argued that the Soweto giants feel they need to bring in as much quality as possible if they are to unseat Mamelodi Sundowns as the kings of Mzansi football. The former AmaZulu FC man comes highly regarded, having really come into his own in the last two to three seasons. But is he going to continue on that upward trajectory now that he's competing against the big names, or is it going to be a case of flattering to deceive like so many before him? Soccer Laduma's Tshepang Mailwane recently went face-to-face with the Randfontein-born star.
Tshepang Mailwane: Heita, Cash! How have your first few weeks with Orlando Pirates been?
Makhehlene Makhaula: It's like a dream come true because it's a big club. It's a big club that I always wanted to play for and all the things I could want are there at Orlando Pirates. I can't mention all of them, but the professionalism is there and all that. Not that the teams I've played for are not professional, but you can see that the set-up is a bit different from the other teams. The players have been good to me, as well as the coaches. The fans have welcomed me well. I am adjusting really well and it was just a matter of time before I played because I've always raised my hand. You can't just come into a team and just want to force yourself in when the guys are doing well.
TM: Describe the feeling of getting your first start for the team in the 4-1 victory over Swallows FC at Dobsonville Stadium.
MM: I think the coach did well not to rush me into starting matches. I have experience, but this is a different environment. I think he did well to give me 10 minutes now and again to get used to the environment before starting. He was slowly introducing me into the team. I think I played well in the 15 minutes he was giving me. I think in the game against Swallows, I played well.
TM: Did the coach give you feedback on your first start?
MM: Yes, he did. He told me I played well, and my teammates congratulated me for playing well. I am settling in well and things are going well. When you play against the guys, you are opponents, but when you are in the same team, you become friends. I am enjoying playing with the guys, even the ones that I have been wishing to play with.
TM: Before the Birds match, you made your first ever Soweto Derby appearance against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. That must have been some experience…
MM: I was so happy, I don't want to lie. I wished I started the game, but I was happy that I came on and played alongside Ben Motshwari. He is my best friend. Those 10 minutes felt like 90 minutes because I always want to make use of the time I get. Even if you give me two minutes, as long as I touch the ball and do what I was asked to do, then I am happy; I do my best in those two minutes. If you want to sulk when they give you two minutes, then that would be a problem.
TM: When you were warming up in front of over 70 000 supporters, were you not nervous?
MM: The nerves were there, but I have played in front of a big crowd. What's important is the first touch when you come on. I also saw that Chiefs were not much of a threat during the match.
TM: Did the defeat take away any of the happiness of playing in your first derby?
MM: Honestly speaking, I wanted us to win. Unfortunately, we conceded from an own goal. I was not happy, but I know we will get those days where we win, and we will be happy. The happy days of Orlando Pirates are coming, and I just hope that I will be part of that team and be in the starting XI.
TM: With the performance of last Friday, do you think you have raised your hand to start more matches?
MM: I love playing. If the technical team comes to you and they are happy, it means you have done well. It means that you have to continue from where you left off. So, during the week I need to work hard. We have top players, and the competition is high, but I believe I have raised my hand. As long as they saw that they did not bring me here to add numbers, then that's good. They can see that I am here to work. I am not here to joke around. I have to enjoy the matches I play and work hard because I am not young. That's why I say that if I get two or five minutes, I enjoy it. I won't sulk. I enjoy wearing the jersey and working for the team.
TM: At 33, did you ever think you'd get to sign for one of the Big Three?
MM: Never. I never thought this opportunity would come. But when my agent told me about it, I could not believe it. I was like, "Serious?" I could not sleep, even when I got a call from my agent saying that the deal was done. I couldn't sleep because it's something that I always wanted. Looking at my age right now, people might say things, but as a professional you know what you need to do to keep yourself fit and you avoid all those bad things off the field. Going back to your question, I still can't believe that I am playing for a big club at 33. It came late. I wish it could have come earlier, but God always has plans for us, so I think this was the plan for me to come at this time.
TM: What were your plans for the rest of your career then?
MM: I wanted a change because I had been at AmaZulu for a while. As a player, sometimes you get comfortable, so I felt that I needed a change and even my agent always said that if an opportunity for change comes, I should take it and see what happens. Coming here to Pirates and competing against these midfielders makes me to be hungry and want to play more than ever before. It makes me want to break into the starting line-up, so it's just a matter of time. I am happy that this happened before I could hang up my boots. Even if I can play two or three seasons here, I know I have achieved my dream of playing for one of my favourite teams. Even if I can retire here after three seasons, I'd be happy, unlike sitting at home and thinking that I could have taken that chance of going to Pirates. I just have to work hard and then the results will come.
TM: True…
MM: I know there were people who were saying I am going to stay outside (not play), but you can't just go inside. There are players there. You've got (Miguel) Timm, (Thabang) Monare, Ben (Motshwari), (Ndabayithethwa) Ndlondlo, (Goodman) Mosele. They are doing great. I just need to add my experience and they also have experience. So, the competition is healthy. We are pushing each other.
TM: Would you have been satisfied if your career had ended without joining a club as big as Pirates?
MM: Never. I would have had a lot of regrets. Like I said, when this opportunity came, I did not look back. Even if I was 35 or 36, I was going to grab it with both hands. Obviously, my family is here (in Gauteng) and I am really happy.
TM: When did the club start showing an interest in you?
MM: I saw (the reports) in the papers towards the MTN8 final. Even my agent was asking if I saw the papers and Twitter. I don't have Twitter, but I saw in Soccer Laduma that there was interest, but I said let's final and then my agent was like, "These guys really want you." I was like, "Serious?" I took it lightly, but then in December, he said they were really, really interested. I was like, "It's not a problem." On 30 January, that's when everything happened. They were communicating with my agent because sometimes it can affect your performance. During the day (on January 30), I was with him and he said, "Let's leave it, we will see it at the end of the season." I was okay with that, but at 23h00 or midnight, he said, "Tomorrow you are going there." He was like, "Pack your things and the rest will follow. " When I saw it in the news, I knew it was happening. Both parties agreed for me to make the move. I couldn't believe it, but my family has been so supportive.
TM: Interesting you say you saw the media reports about Bucs' interest in your services before the MTN8 final, which was ironically against… you guessed right… Orlando Pirates!
MM: Because I thought it was rumours and my agent was on it, I just wanted to win the MTN8 because I have never won that competition. I was playing for my life, so I didn't know that they were watching me. But because God is there, they were watching me and they wanted me. I am hoping we can get to the Nedbank Cup final. I wish we can win it and finish in a good position in the league. Pirates is a big club and it deserves to play in the Champions League or Confederation Cup.
TM: With the deal happening so late, did you have a say in the salary negotiations?
MM: I tell my agent how much I want and then he would come and tell me if it's too much or not. My agent always asks me and asks me if I am sure. He always says I should not be afraid to speak and I should say if I am not happy. But I can say he played a big role in this deal, and my family as well.
TM: From what you know, did the negotiations between your agent and Pirates go well?
MM: It went smooth. I think they had read my mind because they did not have a problem with what I asked for. There were no arguments or anything like that. My things went well. It was simple. My agent would tell me everything about the deal. It came at a good time for me because I was playing well and maybe I needed to grow as a player.
TM: What do you think attracted the club to you?
MM: I think it was my hard work. I think the MTN8 final made them want me more, where they could see that I am a fighter and that I would think that game changed my life. I can watch it when I am 50 and show my son. I work really hard. I know what struggle is, so once you give me work, I work. I think they were impressed by how dedicated I am to my work. I think when these big teams want you, they check everything both on and off the field.
TM: Did you get to say goodbye to your AmaZulu FC teammates?
MM: Yes, I did. It was sad, but it is what it is. Sometimes you need to go find a new challenge. I also got blessings from my ex-chairman Sandile Zungu. When I got blessings from him, I was happy, unlike if we fight. He gave me his full support.
TM: Do you think they appreciated your contribution to the club in the two-and-a-half seasons you were there?
MM: They did. They did everything they could to try to keep me, but my family comes first at the end of the day. I needed to come stay closer to my family in Gauteng. I did speak to the chairman (and told him) that I had been away from my family.
TM: What did the club do to try to keep you?
MM: It's obvious, but sometimes it's not all about money. When you want to be close to your family and have a new challenge and a new environment, that's all that matters. Not everything is about money. Your happiness matters and now my family can support me while I am here. I can take my kids to school and things like that.
TM: That's beautiful. How would you describe the time you spent in Durban?
MM: It was great. We played in CAF. It was something I had never experienced before. And we played in the MTN8 final. It was quite a good experience. The players were good, management was good and everything was super cool. I really enjoyed my time at AmaZulu, and you never know where God places us. Hopefully we will meet one day and that's what the chairman even said. He said I am always welcome at his club if I want to come back.
TM: Moving on, what do you make of coach Jose Riveiro so far?
MM: He is a good coach. He is someone who you can talk to. He is professional. Coaches always want players who work hard and are professional. He is someone who likes players who work hard. I love the coach and the technical team. They are always there, and they have welcomed me really well. They made me feel at home.
TM: When you looked at his style of play, did you believe you would fit into it?
MM: Yes, I saw myself fitting. As a footballer, you need to fit into any style that the coach is playing. By working hard at training, I think he sees me. Just do whatever the coach wants and everything will be okay. I think I fit in well into his style. I am an experienced player. I have played under different coaches. And if you don't understand, you need to raise your hand and ask.
TM: Is it harder to settle in at a club when you join in January as compared to before a new campaign?
MM: It's not easy. You find the players who have played through the 15 games, but you need to work hard and show the coach that you want to be here for the next two or three seasons. You need to make the coach believe in you. When Ben is not there, he can put in Makhaula. If Mosele is not there, he can put Makhaula. That's what I love about the coach. He trusts us and he does not pick sides. He is someone who is honest.
TM: You grew up supporting the Buccaneers, right?
MM: Yes. I've always watched Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali. Those are my all-time favourite players. They used to communicate well in the middle of the park and they understood each other so well because you could never outplay them. I always watched them. I may be a year older than Andile, but he's someone I've looked up to because his break came really early for him, and he got matured earlier. Even Oupa.
TM: Surely you'd love to make a similar impact as they did…
MM: Yes. I want people to say we had this player for maybe two seasons and he made an impact and add numbers. Even if I get two or five minutes, I want people to say he really made a difference.
TM: Makhehlene, go out there and do your thing, lad.
MM: Thank you, my brother. All I can say to our supporters is that we are ready to grind for every point. They must always come to support us wherever we go. Every game for us as Pirates is a cup final. We are not going to lose. We are always trying to grind points. I'm happy that the supporters have welcomed me. It's really heartwarming.
I don't think a lot of people know that about him - Oupa Manyisa, Former Pirates midfielder
"I'm humbled and honoured to hear such words from Makhehlene. Interestingly, watching him grow and playing in the township, I always wished to play alongside him one day. It is funny that they're playing him only as a midfielder in the professional ranks when we, those who watched and played against him in the township, know how good he was as a striker as well. I don't think a lot of people know that about him, but this just goes to show how things change and why one needs to be versatile at this level. He's a very good guy and his move to Orlando Pirates is by no luck.
He's worked so hard from his days in Free State, Highlands Park and then AmaZulu and earned his place in the Bucs camp. This is a team he always wanted to play for and that time has finally come. Funny, once again, that he was given jersey number 36, the same jersey number I started my Bucs career in. What a co-incidence! That means there's something special coming! He's also growing his beard like I've been doing and maybe, just maybe, it is time I removed mine and allow him to carry on with the legacy and finish where I left off, ha, ha, ha. Seriously though, I wish him everything of the best at Pirates and that things fall into place for him because, more than just a good footballer, he's a really good guy.
I want him to be more successful than me at the club, but he mustn't compare himself to anyone. He must just focus on his game, enjoy his football and not stress himself about anything. Doors will open up for him and he must not put himself under any pressure. He's worked so hard and by getting to Pirates, it means he's done a lot of work and just needs to maintain it. May he continue playing well, enjoying his game and make his own history at the club. Makhehlene will always be Makhehleni and needs no motivation or advice. He knew he would get there one day, now the time has come for him to do what he has always wanted to do. My brother, close your ears, open your eyes and play football. People will always talk and everyone has an opinion, don't worry about them. Always know that there's something positive that you can take from every negative comment."
