From time immemorial, it seems there is something about South Africa that attracts Brazilian players to these shores. Some come highly regarded, only to flop, while others go on to take the local footballing scene by storm. If Pio Nogueira’s three stints with Orlando Pirates, back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, are anything to go by, the Sao Paulo-born sharpshooter belongs in the latter category. He is still spoken about with a sense of fondness and nostalgia by the Buccaneers faithful who had the fortune of laying their eyes on his exploits, as he bulged the net with astounding regularity. His spell with Kaizer Chiefs, however, was nothing to write home about, as he himself admits he was carrying an injury at the Naturena-based side. Read on as Nogueira, limited command of English and all, retraces his steps in this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Lunga Adam.
Lunga Adam: Hi Pio, good to speak to you. How are you? How’s Sao Paulo today?
Pio Nogueira: It’s rainy and cold. I believe Johannesburg is very cold hey.
