Raymond, good to be hosting you this week. Just as well, it's your debut on this page and, from what we hear about you, there's nothing you enjoy more than narrating a story. We guess it's our readers' turn to listen in as you do your thing!
When I was at (Jomo) Cosmos, there was a time when we were playing against AmaZulu FC in Durban. Our second-choice goalkeeper never thought that they would play him. So, when we were having our pre-match meal at the hotel, he had a lot of food. Table Mountain stuff, brother! He was so surprised that they named him in the starting line-up for the game. When he tried to jump during the game, he was struggling because he had eaten so much food.
Ha, ha, ha, talk about an ill-prepared player. Well, the man should have known never to jump into any conclusions in football…
Ha, ha, ha. After the game, I was like, "What happened? I trust you so much." Then he explained that he did not expect to start the game, which is why he ate so much pap. He had pap and meat as his pre-match meal. That guy was not jumping that day, ha, ha, ha! He honestly did not believe that he would play because, for the whole season, he was the second choice. He did not think Bra J (Jomo Sono) would play him, but they surprised him that day. He was so full.
Did he play the next game?
No, he did not play the next game, ha, ha, ha. You know when you are at the hotel, it's usually up to you what you want to eat. There are some guys who like eating pap, especially the guys from Limpopo, and there are others who like eating rice or pasta. You are able to choose what you want to eat. I usually have pap after the game. I don't eat it before a game because I know I will be heavy if I have some before a match.
Actually, talk to us a bit about Jomo, because we know him to be quite a character who likes joking around with his players now and again.
This one time when I was at Cosmos, we were at the airport after playing in Cape Town. As I was walking into the airport, I did not see that Bra J was standing there. So, I was like, "Bafana ba Mjomana (Jomo's boys), let's go." Soon as I turned around, I saw him sitting in the corner. He was like, "Hey, ke tla go betha ka mpama (I will slap you)", ha, ha, ha. But he was joking around with me because I was also just having a laugh.
Come on, brother, you must have tons of stories to share about the man.
Bra J was always a character. I remember there was a time when we were playing a friendly match against some Nigerian guys. They kicked his son, Matsilele, and then he said to me, "Rhee, you must go to the person who kicked Matsilele and you must also kick him." It was funny.
Ha, ha, ha, the instruction was simple!
If he says you must go kick someone, you must go kick them. They were also kicking us.
We know that Bra J sometimes likes getting involved in training. Did he ever play in XI versus XI with you guys during a session?
Another thing that Bra J used to do is play rondo with us before training. He would wear the same Jomo Sono Puma boots that he played with when he was playing for (Orlando) Pirates. He still has those boots.
Do those boots not look super old by now?
Those boots are still around, and he can play with them. What's interesting is that he never loses the ball. That old man knows football. I wish I had been around when he was playing football. I am scared to see what he was doing to the opposition teams because he did not lose the ball whenever we played rondo. It was great playing rondo with him in training.
Playing rondo with a legend… nice one. Okay, let's keep it moving. Our readers are definitely hungry for more of what you have to share.
I remember there was a time when I was playing for Cape Town Spurs. You know that English is a tough language for footballers. So, there was this goalkeeper that we had in our team. During one particular game, a cross was whipped into the box, but he realised that he would not be able to get to the ball. So, after coming off his line, he screamed, "Keeper's ball!" And then he said, "I'm lying!"
Ha, ha, ha, are you for real?
Yes, the opposition team scored and the guys were angry at him for that. When he said, "Keeper's ball!", the ball was in the air, but then he went back to his line and the opposition team scored. Yho, the guys in our team were angry at him for doing that!
The flight of the ball surely turned him into a 'liar'. One last story before we let you bounce…
One last story I can remember was when I was at the Pirates development. I forgot my boots at the clubhouse the one time. Just as training was about to start, I took out one boot and I immediately realised that I did not have the other one. In that moment, I did not know what to do – should I go back to get the boot or just leave it? I was even afraid to tell the coach that I had left my boot at the clubhouse.
So, what did you end up doing? Please don't tell us that you trained with one foot in a boot and just put a sock in the other…
Luckily, our clubhouse was not so far, so I was able to run back to get the boot. So, I ran so fast because I knew that the coach would have been on my case for leaving one boot behind.
Ha, ha, ha, that lap to fetch the boot must have counted as part of your training that day. Thanks for your time, Raymond. Been a pleasure. We wish you all the best for the rest of the season, just make sure you have a full complement of boots with you at all times.
Ha, ha, ha, no, for sure. Thank you so much for the opportunity. I enjoyed doing the interview so much.
5 Things You Didn't Know About Maluleke
• He hails from Malamulele in Giyani.
• The former Jomo Cosmos striker says he enjoys cooking.
• Furthermore, the man whose first name is Siyani loves shopping for clothing.
• Maluleke enjoys a game of chess whenever the opportunity presents itself.
• The striker loves making jokes with his teammates and friends.
IN TOUCH FUN FACTS
Nickname: Sharpshooter
Marital Status: Single
Car: Toyota Corolla
Boots: Puma Ultra
Favourite TV programme: The Queen
Favourite food: Rice and beef
Favourite footballer: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Favourite celebrity: Lionel Messi
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook
Siyagobhoza or interviews: Interviews
