I’ll get another opportunity
Mbombela United midfielder, Siyabonga Dubula, chats to Soccer Laduma’s Peter Raath about his highs and lows. He also discusses the team’s poor away form and penalties.
Peter Raath: How would you describe your season because both Highlands Park and Bloemfontein Celtic appear to be showing an interest in your services?
Siyabonga Dubula: Right now, I’m playing the best football of my life. My game has improved a lot since my trial with Kaizer Chiefs in December 2015. That’s because I’m physically stronger and fitter than before, which allows me to run faster and play with a higher intensity for the full 90 minutes. Since the opening match, I’ve been doing so well by getting into good places to either score goals or create chances. My teammates said that I appeared in Soccer Laduma linked to Highlands and Celtic, and although nobody has spoken to me about it, I’m happy to get recognition from scouts. All this means is that I’m heading in the right direction – however, I’m not going to get carried away by such news. In football, until something is signed on the dotted line, it’s not official. Our coach, Milton Dlamini, allows me to go forward because maybe he sees that I have an eye for goal. I’ve been given a role to play box-to-box as both a defensive and attacking midfielder, which I’m enjoying. That’s a positive thing for the team. At the beginning of the season, due to an injury to our number six, Bheki Maliba, I played in his position and did the job until he was fit enough to make a return. I’m in an environment where people believe in me and are giving me a chance. My family are so excited about everything that has happened. When Tingwenyama goes to Cape Town, they come in numbers to show their support. I never thought I’d be in this situation.
PR: Especially after things didn’t turn out well for you at Cape Town City.
SD: Hey, Peter, that was one of the disappointments of my career after joining City in January 2017. I was initially excited, everyone was excited, even the chairman, John Comitis, but I struggled for game-time. Their two midfielders, Roland Putsche and Mpho Matsi, were doing so well, as was the rest of the team. City’s then coach, Eric Tinkler, told me to wait for an opportunity, which came in the last game of the season against Polokwane City. I played exceptionally well during my Absa Premiership debut. People complimented me, saying, “You looked like an experienced PSL player and very soon will be a star.” When I engaged with the boss, everything seemed positive. Even our new head coach, Benni McCarthy, was so positive about me because he loves to play youngsters and give unknown players a chance. I was therefore expecting to start with pre-season, but then feared the worst after being suddenly told that I needed to go out on loan to get more game-time, blah, blah, blah. That shocked me as things didn’t quite go the way I had expected them to. However, here I am, still playing and not looking down. I’m confident that I’ll get another opportunity. I don’t know where, but I believe God will open a door.
PR: You sound very happy at Mbombela United compared to some of your previous NFD clubs such as FC Cape Town and Mthatha Bucks.
SD: That’s for certain. I’m telling you, this team is very professional. They look after the guys. Lucky Sithole and I are from Cape Town, a totally different environment, but the club still makes sure that we gel within the team. It’s great. The pair of us is enjoying it here. There was hardly any change when Edward Williams, who’s been here since the start of the season, took over from Dlamini for a few matches before reverting back to his role as assistant coach. He understood each and every individual plus the football that they played, so we are on the right track. Obviously, Williams wasn’t the same as Dlamini and brought in some of his own ideas, although nothing complicated. We don’t sit back but go forward to get goals. I can assure you that the guys are working hard to reach a play-off position.
PR: But you guys dropped seven crucial points in three successive games against Royal Eagles, TS Galaxy and Uthongathi FC, where penalties made the difference.
SD: I don’t want to talk much about that 3-2 defeat to Eagles. It’s still painful. We were leading 2-1 before they equalised with a penalty. So many decisions went against us, but I suppose that’s part of the game. If you can check the records, there’s quite a few penalties at Chatsworth Stadium (laughing). Everyone is very disappointed after the 1-1 draw in the big Mpumalanga derby against Galaxy at Kameelrivier. Playing away has been quite difficult this season, therefore maybe we needed to double the effort on the road. Eish, not winning at home in the Uthongathi match was very frustrating, especially at this late stage of the campaign. There are no easy games in the second round, but we are going to keep pushing.
PR: That’s exactly what Tingwenyama did with a 1-0 win over Kagisho Dikgacoi’s Witbank Spurs, who are now on the brink of relegation.
SD: We dominated the game with lots of chances even before Lucky Sithole’s winner. The mood is positive as Mbombela stand a good chance of finishing in the top three. I played my best game. Coach Dlamini is proud. PR: Thanks, Siyabonga. SD: Anytime, Peter. ❐