Doc's friendzone

Let me tell you about Ace Donald Khuse. When Didi was introduced to us, playing for Orlando Pirates, I was still travelling with my late father to games and all that. There was just something special about this young boy called Ace. Very skillful and confident in the Black and White jersey. Fast-forward, he went to Mamelodi Sundowns and I was still following him, playing for Chiefs. When the club announced that they’d signed him, I was over the moon! We gelled so well on and off the field. Whenever he was in possession, I knew what he was going to do and the same could be said about him. He’d always tell the guys, “Whenever we pass the ball to Doc, please don’t follow it. Rather go into the box because a cross is going to come.” That’s the on-the-field relationship I had with him and I have not met anyone as dedicated and committed as Ace! He’d do his extra training and he never smoked or drank alcohol. What a professional and a gentleman! We were roommates at Chiefs and our friendship grew into brotherhood. That’s why we were even called “Terrible Twins” at Chiefs. I was always with him, Ntsie Maphike, Rudolf Seale and Abel Shongwe from Monday to Monday. He always believed in me just as much as I believed in him.

Whenever things were hectic on the field, he’d tell me, “We need you to step up your game” and I’d do the same to him. We even had similar cars because I bought a Jetta and he also got the same car.

That’s how close we were and remain. I was so sad and happy, at the same time, when he left for Turkey. Like Tebza, I will always be grateful for the love and support this man has given me and nothing will ever change about our friendship. Guys like him, Dan Malesela, Harold Legodi, Bashin Mahlangu, the late Nick “Bazooka” Seshweni and others don’t come into your life every day.