It was a pleasure to work with him

CA: Tell us about it! SM: I went through an operation, I rolled in a car accident and lost two of my friends in a different car accident. It was difficult that time and I think it was a test of my faith in God, you know. I went through and had some terrible dreams of being in a coffin and all that stuff (shakes head). It was terrible for me! That was around June/ July 2011. After that, I met my Bishop and he really helped me get through everything. I started to focus more on my spiritual life and everything started to fall into place. I went to play for Platinum Stars and there we had a good season. I went on to join Chiefs where the team won the league and the MTN8. It has been a rollercoaster (ride) and, all in all, I think praise must go to the Holy Spirit.

CA: Your spell with Chiefs didn’t go according to expectations though.

SM: You know, going there, what I had in my mind was to repay Chiefs. Spiritually, I opened those doors – I didn’t close them from the first time that I wanted to go to the team. I went there and I really enjoyed it in the first season. I would come in, get 20 or 30 minutes to play and offer some impact, and I enjoyed that. Also, winning the league was big for me. The second season with coach Steve (Komphela), I was still enjoying it, and then the next thing… I don’t know what happened… I don’t even want to talk about it (lowers his head). It’s just deep stuff that I have gotten over. I mean, the next thing I’m not playing, and I asked myself, “How can I stay strong in this situation?” I realised that a lion never changes from being a lion no matter what situations or challenges it faces. So I had to be that lion! I waited for my chance and there was nothing. As a result, I said to the Lord, ‘Let me not curse the day.’ I decided to just stay for three years and then I got a call from Free State Stars and all the hard work

“It was a blow to lose him, certainly, at the last minute because we were relying on him. We lost him at the last minute and we were not informed about it way ahead of time, but that is okay. For sure, it was a blow for us. When he arrived at the team at the beginning of the season, he had a big lack of gametime, so we tried to put him on a good track. It cost us a lot of energy, a lot of correction and a lot of patience also. We can say that he really improved during the second half of the season and we saw the good Mthembu. He is the type of player that understands began again.

CA: Why couldn’t you break into that Chiefs team?

SM: Honestly, I don’t know. They wanted to loan me out to Celtic. When I went to Celtic, they said I wasn’t fit, so I spoke to the boss, Bobby (Motaung), and he didn’t have a problem with me staying and fighting for my place in the team. But then it was a different story with the coach. I’m not the type of guy who will ask the coaches why they are not playing me. I the tactical system (of) where he had to place his body in front of the opponent, how he has to move regarding his opponent. He understood all these things. But for the rest, he is a nice guy, good mentality. He is a hard worker and he has a good lifestyle, and I wish him all the best. It was a pleasure to work with him. What does he bring into a team? I think he is not the striker that would score 15 goals in a season, but he is a striker who will work a lot for the team.” will always work hard because I know it is my job to do that. That’s what I have been told from a young age that nothing beats hard work, not even talent. I don’t know… I don’t think I was in the coach’s plans because there was a time where I was going to play against Free State Stars in the Telkom Knockout in Durban and, when I got there, I was in the team, but my jersey wasn’t there. I was angry, but at the same time, I was like, ‘This is a test of my faith and so I just forgive and I move on.’ We went back to Jo’burg and I wasn’t even part of the team. It did strike me, but I thought if I lose myself now, I will be killing my family and that’s what helped me to stay strong. I had to find light even when there wasn’t any. I was happy to be playing with our MDC team and that is what helped me when I went to play for Stars. Being there and helping the team win the Nedbank Cup was what brought my confidence back. But, it all comes back to me having faith that one day things will work out. It was the spirit in me with God saying, “You cannot fail me, my son.” That kept me going. At Stars, I tried, and I was playing more as a point of reference, to help the guys around me to score. Coach Luc (Eymael) wants his players to press high and that coach (smiles)… he gave me a breath of life once again. He believed in me.

CA: So what made you decide to leave all that and move into new territory?

SM: I received a call from the coach (Benni McCarthy), telling me that he wanted me to come to the team. At that time, there was nothing coming from Stars and I had my one-year contract coming to an end. City really wanted me and I saw that they had a lot of confidence in me. They made me feel like a part of the team already and that’s why I decided that maybe this is God’s plan for me and I will pray and let Him lead the way for me. I am happy with this choice and I am only looking to do more for this club that has given me more life.

CA: Shaka Zulu, thank you for being so honest with us. We hope that Soccer Laduma readers from all walks of life, as well as fellow footballers who find themselves in a similar situation as yours, will take heart from your faith, determination and positive attitude. Good luck!

SM: Thank you so much for talking to me.