They don’t like football
University of Pretoria’s utility loanee, Lindokuhle Zondi, opens up to Soccer Laduma’s Peter Raath about the journey he’s travelled. He goes on to chat about the new man in charge Zipho Dlangalala and competition for places in the team.
Peter Raath: Before we talk about University of Pretoria, please tell us about the numerous goals that you scored for Maritzburg United over the past few years.
Lindokuhle Zondi: During the 2013/14 season, I scored 25 goals for their SAB team and followed this up the next campaign with 18 or 19. Then, in 2015-16, playing as a makeshift wingback and coming on mostly as a substitute for the club’s MDC side, I hit five and had three assists in 15 games. Two seasons ago, in the same league, I scored against Orlando Pirates and Golden Arrows or Highlands Park, while also making five assists. Despite having a first team contract and performing, I never made Maritzburg’s 18-man squad. After telling their ex-coach, Fadlu Davids, that I needed gametime at the highest level, he said, “Be patient.” For me, the MDC was an amateur league, a learning league, where teenagers got a chance to improve themselves technically and tactically. Being in my early 20s, I needed better competition to give me the confidence. To be honest, I could have done something positive for their first team. I wanted a new environment, so they sent me out on loan to SuperSport United.
PR: How did things turn out for you at Matsatsantsa?
LZ: I was in fantastic form during one of my three MDC matches, even scoring against AmaZulu. About a year ago, during the 2018 Nedbank Cup, I was also included in SuperSport’s first team squad that lost on penalties to Bloemfontein Celtic. Their coach at the time, Eric Tinkler, liked me, but things changed when he suddenly left. Then, after being out for a month with a hamstring injury, I played a friendly against AmaTuks and impressed their head scout, Tebogo Monyai. In fact, that match was organised because he’d watched me playing somewhere else. Tuks’ ex-head coach, Shaun Bartlett, saw my potential and told me to come as he needed me this season. But after arriving at the club, I discovered there was a new head coach, Evangelos Vellios. Eish, twice I’ve found myself in the same predicament. But I said, “It is fine, I’ll push myself.” However, on my NFD debut against Uthongathi FC, I suffered a knee injury and was replaced by Claudio De Almeida. I ended up not playing for about two months. My next game was back in November during a 1-1 draw with TS Galaxy. That’s when I came on as a substitute for Pogiso Mahlangu, but I haven’t been in the squad since then. It’s difficult. Eish… I’m so unlucky.
PR: Are you suggesting that being a professional footballer isn’t easy?
LZ: That’s what I told my parents. They don’t like football, but it’s my job. In January, I also picked up a big toe injury and was struggling to run and balance. However, I’m now ready to play and still have that belief in myself, although I haven’t scored yet. The other thing is that the club is playing me out of position. I’m actually a striker. You can call me a mobile striker as I have skill, pace, can hold the ball up and dribble. But in games, training and friendlies, they’ve tried to convert me to a winger, fullback or a number 10. I didn’t want to fight with the coaches or complain, so I just accepted what was said. Eish, it’s hard. Another striker, Ritchi Sebastiao, is back from injury and trying to push himself while our two Mexicans, Lugiani Gallardo Rodriguez and Diego Franco Mares, are also keeping me out of the squad.
PR: AmaTuks bounced back from a 3-0 defeat by Mbombela United to secure a good 3-1 home victory over Witbank Spurs under new head coach, Zipho Dlangalala. Have your chances of getting more game-time improved?
LZ: Yes, Peter. The new coach told the guys that he wants to help each one of us achieve our individual goals. l Zipho h said d he’s h’ here to make us stars. Everyone is going to get a chance to play, not only those who’ve appeared regularly in the 18-man squad. So, it’s a great opportunity for me. I’m praying for game-time. If I get 45 minutes, maybe I can see myself somewhere. In order to create more chances of scoring, we were also told to keep possession of the ball and not make inaccurate passes. Despite Spurs opening the score very early through a defensive mistake, I knew that we were going to come back because their coach, Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba played route one. Our past inconsistency comes from not adhering to the game plan. When a coach gives his instructions, it’s important for us players to follow them. We must respect what the management says and do the job. You’re getting paid to do that. A coach is similar to a parent at home.