Killer and the Eagles
Katlego Mphela is certainly no quitter ... we chat to the former Kaizer Chiefs striker about life in the NFD
KICK OFF: Killer, thanks for talking to us. Tell us about life in the NFD with Royal Eagles …
KATLEGO MPHELA: When I first came in it was a little bit difficult to adjust, but I managed to find my feet and was enjoying myself. Unfortunately I got injured when things were going well for me and for the team.
Why a team in the NFD?
This was my only option – nobody [in the Premiership] wanted to give me the opportunity at the time when nothing was happening [after being released by Kaizer Chiefs]. Royal Eagles wanted to get promotion [ ed’s note: they finished fifth] and I felt I still have lots to offer, so I thought ‘let me take my experience to them’.
At this point in your career, do you carry any regrets?
Of course, it is part of life … decisions were made when I was young and now I start to realise ‘eish, I should have done this and that’. I thought it was going to be different.
What is your biggest regret?
My decision to move back home from overseas at an early age was not a good one. But if I look at it another way, I didn’t have that much choice and things worked out okay. I came back and Pitso Mosimane gave me an opportunity at SuperSport United and I ended up playing for the national team at the 2010 World Cup. But when I look at it, really at the bottom of my heart, leaving France was one of my mistakes. Also leaving Mamelodi Sundowns was a bit difficult because it is the only team I played for over a long period, and they understood me.
Can you elaborate?
There is always pressure playing at Sundowns becauseause of the investments they make, but despite that thehe environment is relaxed and family-like. I had that feeling in the morning that I wanted to wake up and go to work.
And your relationship with Pitso Mosimane?
We had a strong bond because he is the one who went overseas to bring me back to the PSL, and we also went on to the national team together. It was like a fatherand-son relationship, but things change and you have to move on. What were your reasons for
leaving Sundowns?
I was not playing enough because of injuries – it was frustrating. My contract was also coming to an end and the club didn’t offer me what I wanted. I had to look at my future, so I sat down with Kaizer Chiefs and decided that joining them was a good option because they were ambitious and playing in Africa. You know when you go to Chiefs you have a chance of going to finals and winning silverware. Leaving Sundowns was nothing personal ... it was a football decision.
How did you fit in at Naturena?
When I got there I didn’t play much because of injuries, but Stuart [Baxter] knew me from the national team, and I think when they signed me it was specifically with Africa in mind. We had three or four quality strikers who were doing well and had been playing together for some time. So although I was trying to get back to my best and to the fitness level I wanted, it was difficult. Whenever I was given the chance I would score a few goals, but then I would get injured again. It happened against Platinum Stars in the MTN8 – I scored, but then got another longterm injury and everything started to go bad.
So that stint at Chiefs was shortened through injury?
Yes, and because other guys were doing well and getting game-time. I went to Chiefs to play again, but when I got injured, it was difficult for me.
Have you achieved all the targets you set for yourself?
A lot of things happened that I didn’t expect. I have 52 international caps and I’ve scored 23 international goals – those are good numbers, but my target was to be Bafana’s all-time top goalscorer, which I didn’t achieve. I think if Pitso was still national team coach I would have broken Benni McCarthy’s record. But I don’t think anyone will break it because players are not consistent, and selection is not consistent either. But I played against some of the biggest countries, and in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, the 2010 World Cup and the Fifa Confederations Cup. And I’ve scored against top goalkeepers all over the continent, so I think I have done enough to look back and be proud.
What is your take on the negative things people have said about you?
People who know me know I’m professional; I focus on my job and I work hard. Unfortunately that instance when I went AWOL [in January 2014] it was misreported. Sundowns knew where I was and what I wanted. I wanted to go overseas and we were not reaching an agreement – offers were coming and going, I was getting frustrated and I told them ‘I will stay home until you sort out this matter’. Some people decided to make me look bad. I never justify myself in the media, and it was going to sound like I was defending myself, but we knew the truth. I answer my critics on the field.
What are your plans once your career is over?
I have other things – businesses, properties, farming.
Are you able to retire comfortably?
Yes I’m doing things on the side, but I’m not thinking about retirement yet, and hopefully while I’m still playing those things will kick off. When I retire the empire will be there.
LEAVING SUNDOWNS WAS NOTHING PERSONAL.