Siyanda Zwane met Screamer Tshabalala as Orlando Pirates were interested in having him on board, but a call from Manqoba Mngqithi at Mamelodi Sundowns changed everything for the now retired right back.
Soccer Laduma caught up with Zwane to talk about how and why he chose Sundowns over Soweto giants Pirates.
The years
I joined Sundowns in 2015/16. I remember the first day I got to the changing room...I was in disbelief. As a player growing up, you always want to play for the so-called big teams. Being there and rubbing shoulders with the likes of (Surprise) Moriri and Teko Modise was an amazing feeling. If I were to summarise my time there, I would say I had a good two seasons and then not so good half of the the season, which was my third season because I struggled to get into the team, hence I requested I get a loan move. Muhsin Ertugral had contacted me and he told me he was going to Ajax Cape Town. Ajax was fighting relegation at the time and it was a no-brainer for me. I spoke to the coach and management (at Sundowns) and they gave me their blessing. I went to Ajax. But I had a good spell with Sundowns because I won almost everything. The only trophy we did not win was the MTN8, when we were beaten in the final by (Bidvest) Wits. We went onto play in the FIFA Club World Cup.
How the move happened
Five games before the season ended, when I was still at Golden Arrows...it was the season Arrows got relegated to the NFD. I got a call from a guy named Mandla. He introduced himself and he told me that he was getting a call from Sundowns and Pirates at the time. He told me that 'Screamer' (Tshabalala) wanted me at Pirates. The following week, we played Pirates. I had a very good game, even though we lost. When I was done taking a shower, I feel like 'Screamer' was waiting for me and then he told me that Pirates were really interested in my services. I was humbled. One thing that made a difference is when coach Manqoba (Mngqithi) gave me a call. Coach Manqoba is like a father to me and he is the one that gave me my big break. He gave me a chance to play for Arrows. He told me everything about Sundowns and how well I was going to be treated at the club. He lighted all the good things. It was more like asking a girl out. With the money, I felt that I was going to get more to change my life. No disrespect to what Arrows was giving me because it also changed my life at the time in its own way. I just decided that I am going to go to Sundowns, even though Mato Madlala was like 'no, you need to go to Pirates. You won't play at Sundowns'. I just wanted to take my chance and I felt comfortable working with someone I had worked with before in coach Manqoba.
My first day at Sundowns
It was a bitter-sweet experience. In my first training session, we were playing 11 versus 11. was part of the team that was not going to play on the weekend. I was wearing the boot where the is a combination of six iron studs and six rubber studs. While we were playing, two of my studs came off. I realised that the more I kept on running, the more uncomfortable I would be. It was hurting my ankle. I went to coach Pitso (Mosimane) and said 'coach, I have a problem. I just lost two of my studs and it's hurting my ankle. I can't run properly'. The coach made a big meal out of it. He blew the whistle for the game to stop and he called everyone to come closer. When the players came, he was like 'tell them what you were telling me'. I told the guys what was happening. He was like 'listen here, this is Mamelodi Sundowns. Here we win cups, we are not fighting relegation. This is not Golden Arrows. Every player in this team carries two or three boots. This is a professional setup. Next time I will fine you'. I felt his presence on the very first day, but I understood where he was coming from. I only carried one pair of boots that day because I didn't think something like that would happen.
My debut
We were playing against Ajax away from home. I did not have a good game. There were a lot of nerves. I think I prepared myself too much and I over-trained. By the time I got to the game, I was fatigued. You know when you want something so much and you don't want to fail? That's what it was like. I think I overdid it. I wanted to do so well, but I was physically exhausted.
The best player I played with at Sundowns
It's difficult because we were spoilt with so much talent, but I'd give it to Teko Modise. When I watched the guy play, I could not believe the things he did with the ball. He could see things that no one saw. He could play so easily under pressure. He would work so hard, regardless of how much he had succeeded in his career. He was a very confident player.
Most memorable moment
There are many, but I think winning my first league medal. That feeling was amazing. It's a pity because I have never celebrated anything in my life. We win the cup and then they say there is an after party. I go there for five minutes to show face and then I go back to the hotel. Everything I have won, I never celebrated because it goes back to my childhood and how I grew up. There is something I have always wanted to celebrate, and I will not celebrate it until it happens. If it does not happen, I will feel that I would have lived an empty life. The day I have my wife and my kids under one roof, that will be everything for me. I tried to do that, but at the time I was young and immature. But I am pursuit of that. That's the only moment I will ever get to celebrate in my life.
Lowest moment
