I know he won’t forget me

RichardBay FC’s attacking midfielder chats to Soccer Laduma’s Peter Raath about slaying a giant. Theteenager also reveals who his rolemodel is, andtalks about a missedCOSAFA U20 opportunity and his assistant coach Thulani Nkosi.

Peter Raath: How did it feel playing a major role in Richards Bay FC’s stunning 2-1 Nedbank Cup victory over Kaizer Chiefs, especially considering that you were the youngest man on the pitch, at 19?

Moses Mthembu: I’m really happy. Making history was exciting and I want to thank my technical team for believing in me. I also thank God for everything that He’s done. I knew that one day my time would come because I used to watch the club training at Umhlathuze Sports Complex. I was dreaming then and now I’m actually playing with some of those guys. I’m gaining confidence after playing with experienced teammates. Siyabonga Vilane, our oldest player at 34, who scored our winner, is helping me a lot. Actually, during matches, he encourages me to do this or that, so I’m very grateful. Vilane is so humble. Last season, I was only used as a substitute, coming off the bench for the last five minutes or so as games were about to finish. I’ve learnt from there and had to be patient. So far, I’ve just missed one league encounter. I can say that I’m fit, but it’s hard to get used to the different atmospheres when we play away. I do my own training, including maybe extra road work.

PR: Another interesting aspect about that victory was that your assistant coach Thulani Nkosi, reserve goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku and Austin Dube, who opened the scoring, won the 2019 Nedbank Cup when TS Galaxy also shocked

Amakhosi. We presume that you have a close relationship with the friendly Nkosi.

MM: Very much so. Thulani speaks to me privately. If there’s something I don’t understand or if I’m confused with an issue either on or off the field, I call him. He was here when our former head coach, Brandon Truter, originally signed me, whilst I was still at school. Both of them believed in my abilities. After Brandon left us for Swallows FC, I was afraid, but I know that he won’t forget me. That’s because I’m quick on the ball, creative and a hard worker, who’s always fighting for my team. Ask Thulani, I have a very strong right foot. You saw me taking corners against Chiefs. Head coach Simo Dladla and Nkosi use me as a number 10 or central midfielder, where I’m aggressive. Late last year, I even had the chance to maybe represent Amajita in the COSAFA U20 Championship, but Richards Bay wouldn’t let me go. They needed me for league games, so I didn’t get that experience. Obviously, I was embarrassed – however, at the end of the day, I had to understand that the club took me from nowhere. Eventually, I’ll reach the stage where I do play for my country.

PR: What’s your message for any other youngsters wanting to perhaps follow in your footsteps?

MM: They must believe in themselves and not give up. It’s not easy becoming a professional player. About three years ago, I was one of the club’s ball-boys during my time as an amateur in the SAB with Dribblers FC and Crocodile FC, where I was spotted. As I’ve mentioned before, you need patience, while it’s very important to choose your friends properly. You need the right people to show you the way, including the elders. I stay at our clubhouse, but not far away, I have a best friend, who keeps me with his family. Each and every time I go there, I must know my story. My father, who gave me a biblical name, is a pastor in Chatsworth. Because I come from a Christian family, things are easier for me. I’ve suffered from poverty, but God has changed my life. I tell myself to keep on trying and pushing. That’s exactly what other youngsters should do.

PR: Your first professional goal, in a 4-1 drubbing of Bizana Pondo Chiefs, was later followed by a dramatic 2-1 home win over Uthongathi FC, which sent the Natal Rich Boyz top of the log. These achievements must have made you proud.

MM: They certainly did, Peter. As a schoolboy, I used to play as a striker, so I know how to score. You give me a chance, I’ll put the ball away, although I’m still learning how to score with my head (laughing). But if I’m defending, I can head the ball away. I’ve learnt a lot by watching Real Madrid’s Luka Modri since Grade 7. He’s my role model. If our team carries on like this, we can win the league, but being up there brings more pressure from referees, coaches and everyone. The good thing is that everybody is scoring and the spirit is high.

PR: That milestone was achieved via a come-from-behind 2-1 win over TS Sporting, while Chippa United is the next target. Any thoughts?

MM: I’m very happy, but the competition isn’t over yet. I want to make more history by reaching the Nedbank Cup semi-final.

PR: Thanks, Moses. MM: Peter, thank you for choosing me. ❐

too productive for SA football, but our government seems too blind to this fact. If you still remember the squad that w on us the 1996 Afcon, the likes of Helman Mkhalele and Mark Fish, just to mention tw o, it w as made up of Jomo Sono’s products. Remember, it is the same squad that represented us in the 1998 World Cup. It w as another product of Jomo Sono, Phil Masinga, w hose goal against Congo Brazzaville in 1997 qualified us for that show piece. The very same Jomo Sono took us to the Afcon in

Burkina Faso in 1998, bringing home a silver medal after losing to Egypt in the final. That’s w here he introduced Benni McCarthy to the senior national team. The very same McCarthy scored seven of the eight goals that Bafana Bafana managed to score in that tournament and w ho is currently Bafana’s all-time leading goalscorer. Bra J has a very rich history and deserves to be honoured w hile he’s still alive. Jomo has been so productive in our football, but not even a single street in one of the biggest cities in the country is named after him. I hope his efforts w ill be appreciated. If they don’t think of naming anything after him, then a statue w ill suffice. Letladi wa Ga-Mphahlele, Maralaleng

When the small teams are performing w ell, others get anxious and start conspiring against that particular team(s). Fear of competition has never been considered the best thing. That’s w hat Sundow ns do w hen other teams play w ell. They buy players they don’t even need just so they can’t be challenged because they are big spenders. They are very afraid of competition, like some bunch of freakin’ chickens. Phuti “Skretch” Mokgehle from Bochum, Limpopo