Mnguni: Usuthu’s version of Shabba
Growing up in a rural area outside Newcastle, Siyethemba Mnguni already knew he would become a professional footballer and never even thought of anything else.
“I remember quite vividly as we played with a makeshift ball while we were out in the mountains looking after the cattle. That is where I got the nickname Gqosha. At the time we didn’t play any specific positions and I got the nickname from the former Kaizer Chiefs player (Lifa Gqosha) because I was also light in complexion like him.
“I knew then I would play football for a living,” said the 25-yearold Ama Zulu star. Luckily for him, he had an uncle who understood his dream and encouraged him to work even harder as it would be difficult for a boy from such a background to break into the professional ranks.
“I had to work really hard and abstain from things others my age were doing to ensure I g0t to live my dream,” he said. “I was told that since I came from such an area I would have to work really hard to get a chance to get into the professional ranks and fortunately my uncle knew a few people in football and he helped me to get my career started.
“He spoke to coach Shepherd (Murape) who was at Mbombela United and I joined them in 2013. I went there on trial and although Shepherd was no longer there, I made the team and we managed to win promotion to the NFD that season,” he added.
He was then poached by Ama Zulu who had some competition from other teams but he chose Usuthu because he felt they were more sincere and had been courting him for some time. He said he could not believe it on his first day there as he rubbed shoulders with veterans of the game like Siyabonga Nomvethe and Mabhuti Khenyeza.
“It was both intimidating and exciting at the same time. I got over the intimidation soon enough and felt like I had come to the right place because they were welcoming and told me they knew what I was capable of and encouraged me to continue working hard,” he said.
“They continue to guide us which is a good thing because they have been in this game a long time and there is a lot they know which I am yet to learn.”
Mnguni has since become a regular for Usuthu and coach Cavin Johnson said they had to bring him on slowly as he was getting used to playing in the top flight.
“He is one of the players who has played just about five full matches in the Premiership. He has come in and stood his ground. For him to win Man-of-the-Match against Chiefs just tells of his quality. He didn’t have a good start and we had to slowly bring him along and he showed his quality. I hope he scores a lot more goals because he gets himself into good spaces,” said Johnson after the goalless draw against Chiefs at the weekend.
Mnguni said he has become used to people either mistaking him for Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala or deliberately calling him “Shabba”.
“Some people call me Shabba even though they know my real name. I am getting used to people mistaking me for him and I don’t mind because Shabba is a great example for me to follow. He is disciplined and has achieved a lot in his career. It encourages me.”
Next on his bucket list is now a Bafana Bafana call-up and a chance to play in Europe. “I know my chance will come one day and for now I just have to continue working hard.”