Doc’s memory bank: That is one special memory…

Bro Tikkie would, from development already, tell us h ow to greet senior players and h ow to conduct ourselves. He would warn us against walking into th e dining room before th e senior players, for instance, and tell us to wait for th em and only join th em once th ey were settled. Th ese may seem small, but th ey played a h uge role in sh aping us. We used to wake up early to wash th e senior players’ cars, th e likes of Teenage Dladla, Samora Kh ulu, Ace Ntsoelengoe, Marks Maponyane and oth ers, as development players, and th at was our way of sh owing respect and appreciation for th em. I remember my very first game for Ch iefs’ senior team, in th e Iwisa Spectacular Cup at Ellis Park Stadium against Orlando Pirates. Bro Tikkie was th e one dish ing out jerseys to th e players, after coach Ted announced th e starting line-up, and h e h ad jersey number 16 th at h e was going to give to me as I was starting th e game. He could tell th at I h ad butterflies in my stomach and h e walked towards me with th at jersey and said, “We’ve come a long way. We’ve worked really h ard for you to be wh ere you are seated now. We can’t afford to waste all th e h ard work and effort th at got us h ere. Forget about me, th is is th e beginning of your journey. I’m h anding you th is jersey and you’re going to go out th ere and do your th ing. Remember, you represent th ose players in Rockville at Elka Stadium, wh o also want to be like you. I’m not putting you under pressure, but I just want you to know th at you’re not h ere just because your dad was a coach h ere. You’ve worked h ard to be h ere and th is man, Ted Dumitru, sh ows confidence in starting you against a big team like Pirates. Make th e most of th is opportunity.” He th en h anded me my jersey and I started kitting up. I must admit, I was so nervous and went to th e bath room and came back, looked at th e guys and th ey were all ready for action. Bobby Motaung walked in and said, “Now is th e time! Let’s go, boy!” and as I was about to leave th e dressing room, Bro Tikkie h eld my h and and gave me a warm h ug and h is last words were, “I trust you, my boy. I believe in you!” Ace Ntsoelengoe was nearby and overh eard th e conversation and said, “Don’t worry, Bro Tikkie, th is boy will be okay. From wh at I’ve seen at training, h e’s unbelievable and h e’s going to be one of th e best players h ere.” I went into th at game h aving h eard such confidence in me from almost everyone around me. Th at is one special memory th at will be forever etch ed in my h eart. May Bro Tikkie and Ace rest in peace!