I’m tired of the NFD
Peter Raath: As a central defender, how did you manage to become Royal Eagles’ top marksman with 10 goals?
Philani Cele: Everyone has been questioning how I do it. I tell them, “I will always get a goal when there’s a quality cross or pass because I know how to run for the ball. I understand the game. In my early 20s, I played as a striker in the KZN Vodacom League, where I netted many times for both Dundee XI Experience and Durban Warriors. That’s why I have an eye for goals (huge laughter). During my two seasons with Dundee, I used to score maybe hat-tricks in most games, while at Warriors I top-scored with 22 goals. In fact, Warriors spotted me doing well in that league. They asked me to help them and, in 2012/13, after being promoted to AmaZulu’s first team, I was converted to a central defender in the PSL. At the age of 32, I’m one of Eagles’ oldest players, but I believe that I can still play for a long time. However, my future is in the PSL because I’m
definitely going there. I’m tired of the NFD. For the past four years, and three under my captaincy, this club has been trying to reach the playoffs. That’s a long time in this league.
PR: Your rich vein of form saw seven successful strikes in as many matches, including a brace during a crucial 3-2 win over Mbombela United.
PC: Peter, this is my best season so far. I like to park in the box with the knowledge that my teammates will give me the ball. I always go up-field for corners or free kicks and use my head as well as both feet to score. When doing good runs, I’m careful about remaining onside. For example, in the Mbombela match, just after they opened the scoring in the third minute, I was far away, but still managed to calculate how to go about my run. I put the ball on my chest, went straight for the goalkeeper and said, “Thank you.” I scored winners against Uthongathi FC and Real Kings, with the latter a header. I’m not that tall, but I’m good with headers. We used to slaughter people at the Harry Gwala Stadium. Teams knew when they went there that Eagles would kill them, but we are on and off since moving to Chatsworth. Look how the team conceded a 93rd minute equaliser against Cape Umoya United after losing concentration. The guys also picked up five yellow cards. Eish, the emotions of the game. It was the same thing in our 1-1 draw because Richards Bay FC levelled matters very late after my first half penalty.
PR: Royal Eagles have scored four penalties since late January. What’s your comment following complaints by other clubs which perhaps point to alleged favourit
ism by refs?
PC: If it’s a penalty, it’s a penalty. You can’t be arguing about that. I never miss penalties. Every time, the goalkeeper goes the wrong way (laughing). They say that we are paying referees, but we’re asking, “Why are Eagles drawing?” If you pay the ref, you should be winning all the games, but we also played to 1-1 draws against Jomo Cosmos and Maccabi FC, who scored late after sending up more players than us. It was difficult. I also picked up my fourth yellow card at Dobsonville and missed our next match with TS Galaxy. I trusted my boys to beat the Rockets and we did. That was the 13th clean sheet that goalkeeper, Hugo Nyame, has kept, while for me, Lesvin Stoffels, Diego Brown and Sam Manganyi have improved a lot in defence. Other regular starters such as Mphakamiseni Nene, Levy Mashiane and Strydom Wambi have contributed some important goals. PR: That’s correct, Wambi not only hit a first round winner
against Ajax Cape Town, but also a brace when Eagles hammered them 3-1 in round 28.
PC: I’m happy, over the moon, after my team went top of the log with that win (huge laughter). We had to do well by upping our game. People were talking about us buying referees, but we’re doing the job live. As captain, I keep on telling the guys that it’s our chance to win promotion to the PSL. This year is for us. We mustn’t let it pass. Anything can happen. Eagles is a big brand. Our supporters are showing that they love us. They even come to Johannesburg and Mpumalanga. Bafana Nhlapo is a good assistant coach. If he sees that we are a little bit down, he’ll try to lift us up by saying we are still in the race to win this league. Most of the time, Bafana tells us that everything is going to be okay, so the team is going to keep on pushing hard. Every point counts at this stage. PR: Thanks, Philani. PC: My pleasure, Peter. ❐
In this interview, Royal Eagles captain, Philani Cele, talks to Soccer Laduma’s Peter Raath about his goals. He also discusses the accusations flying around about Eagles and penalties, as well as their burning desire to secure Absa Premiership promotion.