My Dream Team

Former Orlando Pirates winger Dikgang Mabalane selects his best-ever XI from past teammates.

Dikgang Mabalane joined omo Cosmos at the turn of the century on the recommendation of then KICK OFF reporter, Ray Nxumalo. The speedy winger, who also enjoyed a great career with the likes of SuperSport United and Orlando Pirates – picks his Dream Team of former teammates.

1 Goalkeeper Avril Phali

Avril – my former Jomo Cosmos teammate – is the best goalkeeper I’ve ever played with. He was a character in the team but when it’s time to play he was honest and had a good work ethic. That’s why he went to Pirates even though he didn’t play that much. He talked on the field even though he kept to himself off the pitch. He also loves his Afrikaans tsotsi taal.

2 Rightback Happy Jele

When Happy was my teammate at Pirates, he was very young and was always keen to learn. He plays centre-back now, but he played mostly at right-back when I was at Pirates. I could see that he was focused. With most youngsters, fame goes to their head, especially at a team like Pirates. But Happy was matured. We had a good chemistry when we were teammates.

3 Leftback Lucas Thwala

When it comes to tackles, Lucas didn’t hold back. At training we often played against each other, and he had his trademark tackle and when he got you, you would jump out of the way. He was my friend as well – Joburg didn’t change him – he didn’t fall into that lifestyle. He was a complete defender.

4 Centreback Ricardo Katza

Ricardo played as a left centre-back at SuperSport United when we were teammates. Ricardo was a captain but a character of note – he got along with players. He was a clean and clever defender. He was comfortable on the ball and didn’t concede unnecessary fouls – that is one thing I liked about him.

5 Centreback Andrew Rabutla

‘Jaws of Life’ didn’t take prisoners … he was rough and Bra J [Jomo Sono] loved him because he did his job. When you see him, you wouldn’t believe it because he was quiet, but you would never go past him. I know a lot of strikers feared him and you need a player like him that could not be taken for granted. Whenever opponents were kicking me, I would ask Andrew to sort them out and next thing, the player is lying flat on the ground!

6 Central midfield Jabulani Mendu

‘S-Curl’… I played with Mendu at Cosmos before he went to Moroka Swallows. He is one crazy guy and a character. His passes – whether short or long – were so accurate. His shooting technique was on another level. He didn’t hold back. Sometimes we used to be roommates.

7 Right wing Dikgang Mabalane

I started playing as a right wing, but I did play as a striker when I was a youngster. It was easy for me to play as a second striker. I think I played my best football at Jomo Cosmos – I know people say I was at my best at Orlando Pirates – but at Cosmos we didn’t have a big platform. We were very close as players and it felt like we were just bunch a friends … we were all that comfortable. Bra J allowed me to express myself.

8 Playmaker: Maimane Phiri

I played with Maimane at Cosmos after he came back from Turkey. He is a people’s person and it’s difficult not to like him, and that is why he is giving back to the community with his Maimane Phiri Games.

9 Forward: Tico-Tico Bucuane

Tico-Tico had deceptive pace, he played like he was not in the mood but all of a sudden, he would explode and score. I’ve never seen a smart player like Tico-Tico – his first touch and finishing were great. A soft-spoken guy but you must never underestimate him.

10 Playmaker Oupa Manyisa

Oupa was quiet and started out as a rightback – that’s where Ruud Krol played him until his confidence grew. He used to play behind me and later moved to midfield where he was able to express himself. He combined well with Andile Jali and was able to mix his skills with defending ability. He is quiet and I’m surprised he became a captain.

11 Leftwing Chris Katongo

Chris scored many goals, he went overseas midway through the 2006-07 season and still finished as a top goalscorer because no-one could overtake him. He was strong and quick … he could easily beat defenders. He created and scored goals, he was a proven goalscorer and made something out of nothing.