It wasn’t a difficult decision

Masebe Qina: Sbu, you were unfortunately hijacked in Johannesburg just before signing with AmaZulu FC. How’re you holding up?

Sibusiso Mabiliso: I’m feeling much better than before and I’m fine – thank you, grootman (big brother). Yes, it was a hijacking and it happened on the Friday of 12 August just after Southgate (Mall). I was driving and had just stopped at the robots when four guys came out of nowhere and apparently from a car that had just stopped next to mine. It all happened quickly. I’m just grateful that I’m alive, even though I lost everything from the incident, including the car. I was driving alone in the car. When it happened, obviously ayingiphathanga kahle (it shook me), but as time went on, I’ve managed to recover and I’m getting back to my usual self again. As I’m talking to you, I’m fine and I can assure you and everyone about that. I went through what I went through, but I’m past that now and I’m fine.

MQ: How did you get home then?

SM:

There were guys that appeared from nowhere after the hijackers had left and I asked them to give me a lift to the Mall of the South. Those guys helped me a great deal and I’m grateful to them. I’m talking about complete strangers who happened to appear in my time of need and assisted me through what I was going through.

MQ: Did they recognise you as Sibusiso Mabiliso, the ex-Kaizer Chiefs player?

SM: No, I don’t think so. I think they were just helping another human being who was in desperate need of help at that time and not because they knew me or anything like that. We ended up exchanging contact numbers and we communicated. I told the guys about everything that happened and later, they called to check on me if I was safe and had made it home and things like that. But to be honest, I don’t know (if they knew me as a pro footballer) and I wasn’t interested in telling them about that.

MQ: Sorry to hear about the ordeal and happy all’s now well. Moving on, how does it feel to be back at Usuthu?

SM: To be honest, I’m very happy and excited ngokubuya kwami (about my return). I’ve been welcomed back warmly by the club and everyone, from my teammates to coaches and just about everyone at the club. I’m grateful to them and I feel at home. I’m looking forward to continuing from where I left off.

MQ: How were you welcomed by the management?

SM: Like I say, I was warmly welcomed by everyone and I’m grateful to each one of them, and the only person that I’m yet to meet is the club president (Sandile Zungu). I did see him from a distance when we paid a visit to the Zulu King (Misuzulu kaZwelithini) at his house in Phongolo last Monday, but as you can imagine, it was very busy there and I would not have had a chance to even have a chat with him. I’m yet to sit down with the president to have a chat, but what I know is that he’s an understanding man and I don’t think there’ll be any issues. The club president is the one making

final decisions on

Sibusiso Mabiliso’s lack of gametime at Kaizer Chiefs always raised eyebrows considering he seemed a good fit when he joined from AmaZulu FC only prior to the beginning of last season. That a right-footed player like Reeve Frosler, for example, would be consistently played at left back even as the Rustenburg-born lad was available didn’t make sense to many. What was really happening? Did he perhaps not pull his weight at training? Was it a case of gold being not all that glitters? When the former junior international was recently announced as one of the many departures at Naturena after yet another disapp i ing season, especially with Arth Zwane cutting down on the average age of the squad, it left more questions anything happening at the club as far as I understand, the comings and goingsandallthosethings,andhe’d been in discussions with my agent about me coming back to the club and that’s why I’m here.

MQ: He was visibly upset when you left for Chiefs last year. Good that you’ve smoked the peace pipe…

SM:

All is well, and my agent (Basia Michaels) sorted everything that needed to be sorted and there are no outstanding issues. I’m grateful to AmaZulu Football Club for welcoming me back and I’m happy to be with the team again and looking forward to contributing to the team’s progress. One thing that people might not be aware of is that AmaZulu wasn’t the only offer I had, but I opted to come back here because of the love I have for the club. AmaZulu is an ammy bitious club that I wanted to be part of again and the president is such an ambitious person. It wasn’t a difficult decision to make for me when I had to come back here because even the team’s style of play suits me well. Coach Brandon (Truter) wants us to play beautiful football and to keep possession. He wants us to be a strong defensive unit and be disciplined. The last time I was here and played under Benni (McCarthy), he preferred playing with wingbacks, but coach Brandon prefers inverted fullbacks and I think I’ll enjoy playing under him. But the most important thing that made me to re-join the club is their ambition and I want to be part of the team’s success.

MQ: What changes have you noticed from the last time?

SM: I haven’t noticed a lot of changes and I wouldn’t have been able to do so as I haven’t been here for long enough. The only noticeable change is the obvious one and that’s that of the technical team and some of the players. But some of the guys are still here and everything is still the same, by the look of things.

MQ: Why did you leave Amakhosi? SM: Like they said in the club’s statement, we terminated the contract on mutual consent. I had a chat with the boss, Kaizer Motaung Jnr, about it and an agreement was reached to part ways. It had been concern that I wasn’t getting enough game-time and that I wasn’t even travelling with the team (for matches). That’s how the thought came about that maybe it would be beneficial to me if I left to try elsewhere. Yes, I’m still young, but I need to play as game-time is important to every soccer player. I didn’t want to just be a part of the club but contributing nothing to the team.

MQ: How was your conversation with Kaizer Jnr? SM:

For the better part of the discussions, I wasn’t discussing with him directly and he was dealing with my agent. But my agent did ask me what my thoughts were and what I wanted to happen, and I told her that the most important thing for me was game-time. That’s when she spoke to the boss.

MQ: Was a loan move discussed? SM:

No, it wasn’t and I don’t think it was going to be possible. You must remember that everything happened after pre-season and the season had already started when I left Chiefs. Most clubs had already prepared for the season and made their signings, and I don’t think it was going to be easy for me to find a suitable club for a loan. What we must also not forget is that not all the clubs like

than answers. But for Mabiliso, the most important thing is that he’s back where many feel he’s more valued, at Usuthu, looking to make up for lost time this season. Soccer Laduma’s Masebe Qina caught up with the left back as he also speaks about his recent hijack ordeal in Johannesburg.

getting players on loan, as some prefer to sign their own players on permanent deals.

MQ: How was the competition for places?

SM: The competition was good and I learnt a lot from my former teammates, especially the guys I was competing with.

MQ: Was it that tough that you couldn’t crack it into the team? SM:

No, because I wasn’t given a chance. I think the only chance that I got was against (Orlando) Pirates and I thought I played well in that game. The Pirates game was the only game I started and after that, I didn’t get another chance. There was (a) COVID (outbreak at Chiefs) and I was one of the people who tested positive and I was never given a chance again, even though I came back from COVID two weeks after the outbreak.

“It wasn’t a difficult decision to make for me when I had to come back.”

“I think the only chance that I got was against (Orlando) Pirates…”

MQ: What was the feedback from coach Stuart Baxter about your situation?

SM:

Leading up to the Pirates game, coach Baxter had been talking to me quite often and he was telling me that I was doing well in training. He was encouraging me and telling me that I should keep on working

hard and that I’d get my chance to play. He’d been giving me a chance as a substitute here and there and was promising me of more.

MQ: Training and not playing… SM:

Vele bekub’hlungu (Of course, it was painful), but I tried to remain strong about it at all times to avoid ending up doing wrong things because of frustration. I was always positive about going to training and always made sure that I worked hard, even though I was not playing. Mine was to always give my all at training and I didn’t focus on anything else. I always kept myself motivated by telling myself that there are millions of people who play soccer but did not get the opportunities of playing at pro level and I’m in a better position because I got that chance. The only responsibility I have is to always work hard now that I’ve got the opportunity to play at the highest level in Mzansi.

MQ: After Baxter was replaced by Arthur Zwane, one would have thought that you’d want to stay on and compete.

SM:

I did not think about that one and all that was on my mind was to work hard, and whether it was under coach Baxter or Zwane wasn’t the issue with me. But as a player, you can also see when things aren’t going to change for you and for me, it was clear to see, even at training, if I would be part of the plans or not.

MQ: Whatdo youmean? SM:

Sometimes when we played friendlies or even at training when we played 11 v 11, it wasn’t difficult to see.

MQ: Are you saying you didn’t make the 11 in both teams when you played against each other in training?

SM: No, I would get a chance to play in those training matches, but sometimes ngibuye ngithi (I would then say), “No, man, I’m not part of the plans.” The thing is sometimes

I’d sit outside even in those matches and maybe I’d come in later during the game or session. I’d watch as guys like Reeve (Frosler), Happy (Mashiane) and Choppa (Sifiso Hlanti) played.

MQ: Overall, how was your time with Chiefs?

SM:

It was great and I enjoyed it. I had a good time with Chiefs and, as we all know, Chiefs is a big club and it’s just that it wasn’t easy because of my lack of game-time. Chiefs is a professional club and I managed to learn from every one of the people I interacted with at the club. One of the most important things I learnt at the club was that as a player, you have to always think about the brand of the club in whatever you do and how you conduct yourself. It is never about you as an individual but the Chiefs brand. But I can’t come here and tell you that my stay with the club was bad or anything like that because that wasn’t the case. It was great, and my only concern was lack of game-time. Everything else was top!

MQ: It should be mentioned, Sbuda, that the professional manner in which you handled yourself under the circumstances was commendable and you represented the Chiefs brand well.

SM:

Yinto ebengiyifuna leyo (That’s what I wanted), and that’s why I always worked hard even though I wasn’t playing. I didn’t want to do any negative things.

MQ: Disappointed? SM:

Yes, I am disappointed, but impilo iyaqhubeka (life goes on), grootman lam. What else can we do? I’d like to thank the supporters for their love and support. Since day one, they welcomed me well and I’ll always be grateful to them. I’ll forever be grateful to AmaZulu supporters as well for their love and support and I’ll do everything to make them happy.

MQ: Thanks, and we wish you success.

SM:

Thank you so much, grootman lam. ❐

this game, but they failed to convert the chances they created. I don’t like to dwell much on officiating, but some of the referees’ decisions leave much to be desired. Ndah didn’t even touch the player, but the guy fooled the referee. The height of the ball was also so high and the Maritzburg player realised that it was out of his reach. Besides that, Pirates need to blame themselves as they should have avoided this loss. I think Peprah should start the next game. Madimetja Vic Mashamaite, Renstown

I always indicate on this platform that Pirates won’t be competitive this season. The club’s issues are rather self-inflicted and the sooner we appreciate and realise that, the better. Champions know how to kill games and that ultimately wins them cups. But with my team, they always dominate the game, and yet when it matters most, our boys disappoint as always. I don’t think Maritzburg are a match for us, with all due respect, but the fact that they collected all three points is a clear indication that the road ahead is going to be bumpy. Anyway, it was a bad weekend for all the big boys of the PSL as they failed to win their respective games. Thapelo Masiapata, Ramaroka village, Bolobedu

We as Pirates fans are fine. Junior Khanye and Benedict Vilakazi must leave our coach alone. He is cooking something very delicious. Before, I thought they know football, but I can assure you that they want to destroy South African football. Happy People is back with full force! Stephen Mpya, Mamphulo village

Quick One-Two’s

I applaud John Comitis for standing his ground and going ahead with the agreement they made with FNB because it wasn’t anyone’s business for that matter. I only sense greediness, power-hungry individuals and jealousy within the League’s board of directors, which doesn’t want to see certain club bosses progress in life. Chiefs and Pirates are being sponsored by Vodacom and their jerseys spot Vodacom’s emblem for everyone to see, but that was never seen as a conflict of interest with MTN. Sundowns had to change the home venue for the MTN8 quarterfinals because there are a lot of Vodacom billboards at Loftus Versfeld and that was seen as conflict of interest with MTN, but yet again, Chiefs and Pirates had Vodacom on their jerseys. Why? Cape Town City were summoned before the PSL DC for their sponsorship with FNB because it wasn’t approved by the PSL board. What do they have to do with Cape Town City’s dealings? Swallows FC lost a multimillionRand sponsorship deal with Telkom because of these selfish rules and almost got relegated as they couldn’t keep up with monthly salaries of its players. Telkom was seen as a conflict of interest with DStv, but no one bothered to explain so that the football fraternity can understand. How? I stand to be corrected where one feels I lack understanding. There should be workshops on a quarterly basis to refresh everyone’s minds about the dos and don’ts of obtaining any sponsorship deals and not rely on the fact that “they know what to do and what not to do”. Jimmy Thomas, Elliot, Eastern Cape

South Africans are saying they are well-known as a football-loving country. There is no truth to that. In fact, our reality is nowhere near that perception. I think only Chiefs is keeping that desire. Our football is not developing in all angles and levels. The reason for my concern is, why is a supporter of a big club like Sundowns, Chiefs and Pirates wearing his or her club’s gear in a Gallants v Swallows game? If he or she is supporting three teams in the PSL, why doesn’t he or she purchase their shirts to wear during their respective games? Where is professionalism in our game? In Europe, teams are supported according to their cities. Why not in South Africa? If people have their choices, then they must respect their team shirts. It’s rare to see a Man City supporter wearing their club’s shirt in an Arsenal v Chelsea game. I doubt it happens at all! I wish Sundowns supporters can wear our gear for our games only. Let’s be professional, Masandawana, and show other teams love and respect.

Terah Maqepula, Mount Fletcher

Let’s shed the light on this newly proposed African Super League. I strongly feel that this idea is crazy or is not going to help our football as per the said purpose of the initiative. CAF Champions League winners receive $2.5 million and this has been the case for some time. This is the most elite club competition at the moment and now if you invent a competition that will give participating clubs that same amount, even before kicking the ball, where does that leave the Champions League? What does that say about the future of the Champions League? The winner of the ASL will receive a massive $12.5 million, while there is no competitive way to qualify for it, yet we are made to believe that ASL is here to improve the state of our football. That sounds crazy to me, let alone when the notion that they are trying to improve the financial state of African football. Maybe I’m stupid enough not to understand this idea, but I think the main purpose is far away from the mentioned “facts”. On a different note, VeeJay and Doc had cool insights in their respective columns of last week’s edition of Soccer Laduma. On a different note, Romain Folz’s interview shows that he knows his football, even though he has left Gallants. His departure proves there are more wrongs in our football than we are made to believe. Kwazikwakhe Ngcobo, via email

The high-flying Banyana Banyana were brought down to earth by more determined and mighty Brazilians in two games. But I am happy, it’s a wake-up call to our ladies, who despite losing by big a margin, never showed any respect to their opponents. They were outplayed, outsmarted and outclassed. After the dust has settled, at least they gave us a glimpse of what to expect during the World Cup. Powerhouse like Germany and Netherlands, just to mention two, are waiting for us in the global showpiece. But to be the best, you have to beat the best. We lost twice against Brazil, but at least we lost with dignity. Boitumelo van Rooyen, Schweizer-Reneke

I used to respect Maruping as a better referee cos you wouldn’t find him trying to be on the spotlight unnecessarily and his decisions used to be sound. But that penalty for Maritzburg against Pirates, wow. And then you have a clear goal by SuperSport disallowed against Sundowns. What if the latter had equalised or they need a better goal difference at the end of the season? Are the officials aware that their actions cost people jobs? I was thinking about writing a book about these guys. What I can conclude is that even if we were to have

VAR, the EPL weekend blunders involving VAR, where legit goals were disallowed, would be a daily thing. Now I can simply say the only thing these guys do better is spotting timewasting when a team leads. Well, maybe that’s the only thing they are paid for. We’re tired of them being topics.

Koos Machacha, via email

VAR is under fire in the EPL. So, the system that reviews live matches’ incidents is under review, with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL) “acknowledging” the incidents in a released statement, mainly West Ham’s late equaliser against Chelsea and Newcastle’s disallowed own goal by a Crystal Palace defender. In another incident, Brighton’s McAllister was also denied a hat-trick when he netted a scorcher of a goal. It’s so unfair that a longrange shot goal is disallowed for an offside when it was a “shot”, not a pass, with the player said to be in an offside position not attempting to play the ball. I also saw a Stoke player stamping on a Reading player and the referee turned a blind eye to that – not even a yellow card was shown. VAR’s controversies overshadowed Man United’s win. Is VAR failing?

Lucky Khunou, Meriting

Man United’s remarkable improvement this season is noted, and I firmly believe our very own Benni has an input on this. On that note, I’d like to congratulate Benni and Pienaar on what they’re doing overseas. We’re well represented by these two icons and I can only hope that Mzansi’s best coach, Pitso, can also get a similar opportunity. As a Chiefs supporter, I wish to see Pitso coaching my team one day, but again, I realistically think it would be a step back for him to manage any team here at home. He’s set a standard that Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego must maintain and surpass. He’s done it at Al Ahly and succeeded. He’s just received the badges that allows him to coach anywhere, so here at home will just be a step back. On the local front, it’s getting hot in the league, with teams losing games they normally win without breaking a sweat. For us in the Soccer Laduma readers’ WhatsApp group, it’s even sweeter and quiet because the Big Three dropped points. This season will be tough for everyone, but again, we only hope to have competent officials. Mompati Panyaza Ndlovu, Lekubu Village, Zeerust

When fellow Soccer Laduma WhatsApp group member Mr Lucky Khunou congratulated Man United well in advance for ending Arsenal’s unbeaten run, others took him lightly, but he was proved right. What I like is that most Amakhosi supporters are also supporting Man United. What a debut game by the left-footed Brazilian, Antony! He rose to the occasion and justified being the most expensive signee in the recent transfer window and there is still more to come from him. The Gunners met us at the wrong time when we have picked up momentum and are collecting points. On the Blue side of Manchester, I want to say they signed my favourite striker Haaland and congrats to him in advance for winning the Golden Boot. Mo Salah and Son Heung-min are still searching for their scoring boots and Haaland is already on 10 goals. He is a young and complete striker who can score with both feet plus his head. He is also very strong and EPL centre-backs won’t bully him, plus he is too fast for somebody his height. Amos “Tiger” Tshukudu, Ga-Maria

Manchester United are now consistent. Congratulations to them for beating Arsenal. Moses Mokoena,

Ga-Mokwakwaila

I proudly join the football fraternity in paying tribute to former Zim international Peter Ndlovu for being the first African footballer to score in the rebranded English topflight 30 years ago. The Flying Elephant, as he was affectionately known, scored for Coventry City in a 2-1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday on 2 September 1992. Many years on, we still remember this particular day when Ndlovu became a talking point in streets, markets and workplaces. Indeed, he became a household name. Besides the current Mamelodi Sundowns team manager, there are other African footballers who went on to make great exploits in Europe. We need to embrace the history of our ex-footballers like Sibusiso Zuma, Lucas Radebe, Didier Drogba, Benni McCarthy and Samuel Eto’o. They left trails of greatness abroad. We need to immortalise the great exploits registered by these former footballers by naming football infrastructure, tournaments and awards after them. Batsirai Kativu, Johannesburg