Siyabonga Nomvethe is regarded as one of the greatest professionals in South African football and at 42 years of age, he is yet to hang up his boots.
The striker has had an illustrious professional career, playing for some of Mzansi's biggest clubs and also enjoyed a few years in Europe, where he plied his trade in Italy, Sweden and Denmark.
However, Nomvethe's first time with Soweto giants, Kaizer Chiefs will be something he will remember for the rest of his life.
The former Bafana Bafana international joined Chiefs from African Wanderers back in 1998, where he spent three years on the books of Amakhosi and in an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma this week, the 42-year-old explained what his first day was like at Naturena.
"It was great, even though I was nervous. I remember when I landed at OR Tambo Airport, it was Screamer Tshabalala (Chiefs team manager at the time) who fetched me. He took me to the hotel in Carlton Centre, where I stayed for two months with Arthur (Bartman). I was relieved to see Arthur since we'd played together," he said.
"I went to Johannesburg and joined up with the team. Kwakuyinto enkulu kabi ukunyathela nje enkundleni ye (It was a massive thing just to step on the field at) Kaizer Chiefs. But I came to realise how big Chiefs (are) when I played my first game for the club. When we entered the field for the warm-up, I looked around and it was all gold and black. Guys like Doctor (Khumalo) helped me and made me feel at home," he added.
To read the full exclusive interview with Bhele, where he also revealed:
- What Muhsin Ertugral taught him at Kaizer Chiefs
- What his first time in Italy was like
- How he ended up in Denmark
Check out this week's edition of Soccer Laduma, issue number 1176, on sale in stores.
