It's not everyday a player can go from amateur leagues to joining a club as big as Orlando Pirates, but Solly Mathe was one of the select few to go on that journey.
Soccer Laduma caught up with the retired midfielder to talk about his spell with the Buccaneers, which saw him playing with top individuals such as Benedict Vilakazi, the late Gift Leremi, Onyekachi Okonkwo and Isaac Chansa.
The years
I got to Pirates in 2002 when I joined the reserve side called Yebo Yes. Then I was promoted to the first team in 2004. When I got promoted, I spoke to (Augusto) Palacios. My coach in the reserve side was Bernard Lushozi. They felt that my chances of playing in the first team that season were slim because of the quality that Pirates had that time. There were a number of experienced players, so they felt that it would be best for me to go out on loan. Owen da Gama was coach of Silver Stars and he used to come watch our games (at Pirates reserve side). So, one day, Silver Stars was playing a friendly with Pirates at FNB Stadium and Palacios told me to go to FNB. I was not sure which team I was going to play for and he said 'Silver Stars'. After the game, Silver Stars said they want me and the rest was history. I went on loan there and when I returned to Pirates the following year, they gave me a five-year contract. I left Pirates in 2007. I only stayed two seasons from that five-year contract because Platinum Stars bought me.
How I joined Pirates
I was playing for a team called Real Rangers in Vaal. We were playing in the Castle League. So, we won the regional league in Vaal. Yebo Yes won the league in Joburg, Tuks won the league in Pretoria and then there was a team that won the league in the East Rand. So, these four teams came together to determine who would win the provincial play-offs. We had a decider against Yebo Yes, who had the likes of Gift Leremi, Phumudzo Manenzhe, Lucas Thwala and Kelebogile Mabe. We beat them 2-0. After the game, coach Lushozi came over to me and said I was a good player. From then, they kept in touch with me until I joined the Pirates reserve side.
The make up of the team
When I was promoted to the first team, there was a lot of quality. There was a lot of players I looked up to, especially in the position I was playing in. There was (Eddie) Dinha, Perry Mutapa, Isaac Chansa, Tso (Benedict Vilakazi) and then Onyekachi Okonkwo came when I returned from loan. There was a lot of quality with guys like Gift Leremi, Lucky (Lekgwathi) and Steve (Lekoelea) were also in the team.
The rands and cents
When I was playing in the Castle League, I was not getting any money. It was during my first year at Wits Tech and my parents were paying my fees, but you could see that it was stressful for them and that they struggling. When I went to Yebo Yes, they asked me what I want. I said 'if you can pay my fees and res, I will be happy'. They said they would give me R1500 every month and it was a lot, considering I was not getting anything before that. And it was not all about money. It was a chance to play for a big team.
My first day at Pirates
My first day in the first team was nice. You know when you come from the reserve side, you are nervous. But I felt at home because we knew the environment and most of the guys from the first team knew us. Every Tuesday or Wednesday, we used to play against the first team, so they knew what who we were and what we were capable of. Sis'Zo (Zodwa Khoza) also made things go well. She supported us in every way.
My debut
My first game was against Maritzburg at Chatsworth. I was on the bench and Perry Mutapa was playing in the middle with Okonkwo and Chansa. Mutapa was elbowed in the first half and he lost his teeth. The guys on the bench told me to stand up and I was nervous. The coach was still looking at the situation, but the guys said I should stand up. I got on when we were one goal down. We equalised and I scored the winning goal. I was named man of the match. It was a great moment for me.
The best player I played with at Pirates
There is a lot of them. I loved 'Cheese' (Lebohang Mokoena). I came through with him, so I know how good he was. I loved Okonkwo. He would make us play. I loved his confidence. He was not scared. I also loved Gift Leremi. He was a top player. 'Chippa' (Lekoelea) was one of the guys I looked up to, especially because he was from Vaal.
Most memorable moment
I have two. When I scored on my debut against Maritzburg. I will never forget that game. The second one was when we played the same Maritzburg team in the semi-finals of the Absa Cup, which is now known as Nedbank Cup. I scored the first goal and I created the second. That was coach (Kosta) Papic's last game. He resigned before the game. He told us before the game that it was his last game, so we won the game for him. He believed in me that guy. It was sad that I did not play in the final.
Lowest moment
It was during the time I was injured when I was doing well. I knew that coming back was not going to be easy. There were times when the team was not doing well and I wished I could help them. Also, losing the Absa Cup final (against Kaizer Chiefs) was a low moment.
