That’s a season I will never forget
Pogiso Sanoka m ad e h is n am e in th e colours of M aritzburgU nited , th eclub th atgaveh im h is professional d ebut, h avingjoined th em from OrbitCollegein 201 5.Duringh is tim e in K ZN , Sanoka establish ed h im self as one of th e bestrigh t backs in th e country and w as rum oured to be on th e w anted list of som eof th ebigguns in Gauteng. He m ad e over 1 00 appearances for th eTeam of Ch oice, but after a successfulspellth ere, th e 28-year-old feltitw as tim e to seeka new ch allenge, as h esigned a tw o-and -a-h alf-year d ealw ith TSGalaxy.Notlong after penningh is contractw ith Galaxy, th eplayer from North W estspoke to Soccer Lad um a’s Tsh epangM ailw aneabouth ow d ifficultitw as to leave M aritzburg and th e offers h e received after th e season th ey finish ed fourth in 201 7/1 8, th esam eseason th ey reach ed th e finalof th e N ed bankCup. He also sh ares h ow h is m oveto Galaxy cam e about.
Tshepang Mailwane: After spending four years with Maritzburg United, you left to join TS Galaxy recently. What was the feeling of leaving the club which gave you your top-flight debut like?
Pogiso Sanoka: Maritzburg took me from nowhere, you understand? So, to take the decision was not easy. To let go and go experience something else is a huge decision that you have to take. You can’t just take it like that. I had to sit down and contact my parents and show them the way forward, because once you feel you’ve settled, then there’s one or two things which are wrong that you are doing. I felt it was time for me to go and experience something new, in a new environment. I think I was the only one remaining at the club, from all the players who were there when I got to the club. Other guys have left and signed with clubs elsewhere, so I felt I should go and experience new challenges and take my football maybe to another level. But to be honest, it was not an easy decision. But at some point in life, there are decisions you have to take and see if they benefit you and your career because football is a short career. So, if something comes your way, like the TS Galaxy opportunity, then you have to sit down and think about it.
TM: We hear you…
PS: This move happened within a space of a week. We pushed it to happen in a week. After we lost to TS Galaxy (as Maritzburg), when we played at home, they approached me immediately after the game. I was not even playing that day… I was on the bench. Then I got a call from my agent, saying that there’s an offer from TS Galaxy. I called my mom and let her know what I was thinking and (to) see if the move might help me in future. We sat down and the next day, because they wanted a response from me as soon as possible, I told them that I will join. I told them that I’d go to the chairman (Farook Kadodia) and make him aware of how I was feeling and how I was seeing things. That’s how it happened. Actually, this thing of TS Galaxy happened like this… Coach Owen (da Gama) has always wanted me, from the time he was with Highlands Park. The move was supposed to happen a long time ago, but unfortunately, they sold Highlands. But after he gave my agent a call, then I said I should go there. That’s where I took the decision and now I am here.
TM: You were a great servant for the Team of Choice. What was Mr Kadodia’s response when you broke the news to him?
PS: He gave me his blessing. He was sad, to be honest. You know, if you’ve been at a team for some years, it’s always difficult. I never even had that time to say goodbye to the guys properly, to let them know that I was leaving the club. I never had the chance to do that. My mind, after we negotiated the contract, automatically changed, so I didn’t get to speak to them. I just sent a message in the (WhatsApp) group and then I went to the office to finalise everything to say, ‘This is the last time you guys are seeing me.’
TM: What reaction did you get from your teammates?
PS: You know, my man, we were not just teammates – we were family. That’s how Maritzburg United is, so it was difficult. It was sad and they did not believe it. I still talk to the guys, but it’s difficult, especially at this time where the team is not doing well. You can hear when we talk over the phone that things are not going well and after losing a senior player, it’s always difficult, because the window period is closed and I have left
the club. But it’s football, my brother. Everyone was sad and some did not want to text me. It took them like two or three days to get back to me, to check if what they have heard was true. It was not only sad for them, but for me too. It was the first time I experienced that, where you leave a club and you feel like you are leaving your family. But these are the chances you have to take if you really want to improve your life were probably one of the last few players remaining from the time you arrived. Tell us, what was it like seeing other players such as Lebohang Maboe, Fortune Makaringe and Richard Ofori leave for bigger clubs? PS: When I got there, I only found Bandile Shandu. Of the long-serving players, I was one of the few remaining. As a player, you have to, by this age, want to experience something new. All the guys have left throughout the years and it’s what I wished for everyone and myself also, to go and express myself and play in a different environment. It was sad (when other players left) and I had that in my mind when those players were going to bigger clubs. It was a desire to change your life and see things at a different level because once you feel like you are at home, there’s something wrong you are doing psychologically. I feel this was a good move for me to go out and learn because if you are stuck in the same environment, you don’t learn that much. So, I always prayed about that, to express my talent elsewhere.
TM: What will you miss most about? Share some of your highlights with us…
PS: What I will always miss and admire about Maritzburg is the support we were getting as players, from the supporters at Harry Gwala Stadium. It has not been the same since COVID19, where we played those Friday night games. Also, the humanity from the people in Maritzburg was great. I really admire them and I will always think about how they helped me and helped me grow as a player. One thing I will always cherish is when we finished in the top four with coach Fadlu (Davids). That’s a season I will never forget. That was the season I really made people realise who Pogiso Sanoka is. I think people started recommending me from that season because I think I really had a great season.
TM: During the season when the club reached the Nedbank Cup final and finished fourth, was there no interest from other clubs, considering you were in fine form?
PS: Yes. After that season, the interest was more. I think I got four or five offers. But at the same, I had just signed a new contract and you know that after you sign a new contract, you can’t go and sign another contract somewhere else because the team has plans for you for the future. I had offers, but I had to remain humble and honour the contract the team had given me. Because when they gave me a new contract, and in the manner they asked me to sign the contract, it showed that they really needed me. I had to stay focused and tell myself that it (a move) won’t happen in the next three years. I told myself that I should stay at the club and continue to work hard.
TM: But towards the end of your time there, you weren’t a regular…
PS: To be honest, I was not really playing a lot towards the end. I was only playing when coach Eric (Tinkler) was there. He left and under coach (Ernst) Middendorp, I think I only started two games and then I was coming on as a substitute in other games, where I was playing maybe 10 or 15 minutes. I think five games after that, I was on the bench.
TM: That must have been so strange for you.
PS: Sometimes when things don’t go your way, you have to find a solution or find answers. But honestly speaking, these coaches both have their different philosophies because we changed from four defenders to three, where Ernst was using wingbacks instead of fullbacks. I feel I am a natural right back, so I had to try to adjust to the system that the coach was playing. The only problem is that he was using wingbacks as more attacking players. It became difficult because we were doing things with a different method and then you have to sit down and talk to yourself and see where you can improve, so that you can also be in that starting line-up. It was difficult, but these are the situations you sometimes have to face in football so that you can learn from them.
TM: Where do you see yourself fitting in at the Rockets?
PS: I watched their games and it’s not too different from what I know. They are almost similar to how Highlands Park were playing. So, for me, it has not been so difficult to adjust. I am looking forward to doing well with the team because they also have ambitions of finishing in the Top Eight. They’ve welcomed me well here and we really want to do our best and to try to finish in the Top Eight.
TM: What do you make of the competition for places in the team?
PS: I think there is a good squad that’s manageable. I’ve already had a chat with the coach about how he is going to use me. There’s competition in the squad, but I believe I can compete for a position. I can compete for a fullback position and also work hard to compete with the centre-backs. It’s easier for me to adapt to the style of play and work on my strengths to show that I can be good for the team. The team is in good shape and everyone is working hard. I just have to work hard and be patient. I need to wait for my turn. We are playing back-toback and, in the near future, I think the team will need fresh legs. So, I just need to work hard and utilize it.
TM: Thank you so much for your time.
PS: Thank you. ❐