Twala lives derby dream
Stars wishes mom could see him play
WILLIAM Twala used to tell his mother he would one day play in the Soweto derby because she did not want him to attend the game as a spectator with his grandfather.
“As a kid, my grandfather often got tickets. But my mother did not want me to go. She said I was too young to go. It was a bit rough back then [at the stadium], so she was protecting me,” said the Kaizer Chiefs winger, who enjoyed watching former Amakhosi midfielder Thabo Mooki.
In less than a week, Twala will feature in the Soweto Derby in a Nedbank Cup last 32 match at FNB Stadium.
The man who has scored two goals since joining Amakhosi from Chippa United last month will hope to eliminate his former club in the first round.
It ’ s been eight years since the death of his mother, who passed on when Twala was writing his matric exams.
The 25-year-old often wishes she was around to see him play for one of the big clubs.
But he does have his father to watch him play, although the old man is an Orlando Pirates fan. Twala grew up supporting Pirates.
“My mother passed on in 2008. I was writing my matric exams. Although it was a challenge to concentrate, I passed with exemption. Luckily, I had a lot of support from my family and Augusto Palacios [his youth coach at Orlando Pirates]. I wish she was around to see that I have had the opportunity to represent both Chiefs and Pirates, ” he said.
“My father, Sizwe Twala, jumped for joy when he heard that I would be joining Chiefs. He is quite reserved, but he was the total opposite. I think he will go with blood more than anything in the Soweto Derby, but you never know.”
Twala ’ s father may be a huge football fan, but it was his mother who insisted that he go for trials at Wits University when he was 11 years old.
“She ’ s wanted me to go to Wits so I could get exposure and not get exposed to life on the streets [in Diepkloof ],” said Twala.
“I had a cousin playing for Wits, and because my family was interested in me pursuing a career in football, I too went there and was selected.”
It was not long before he caught the attention of Pirates.
“We were playing against Pirates. It was the league decider for under-12s. We beat them 2-1 and I scored both goals. Thereafter I joined Pirates. ”
But Twala could not make a mark in the first team at Pirates. He was loaned out to FC AK, Chippa and Golden Arrows before they let him go for good.
Pirates could live to regret that decision when the clubs face-off on Saturday.
Twala believes the Soweto Derby has not lost its spark, even though some might disagree.
“It is still exciting,” he said. “It differs with generations. The game has been modified and is exciting.”
After the goalless draw in the Telkom Knockout semifinal between the Soweto giants, fans will be hoping for a cup match that will not put them to sleep.