I was labelled a traitor!

“I’M ACTUALLY HAPPY FOR KHAMA (BILLIAT) THAT HE IS NOW PLAYING. HE TOOK A FOOTBALL DECISION TO GO WHERE HE FELT HE WOULD BE HAPPY.”

Thomas Kwenaite: Washington, results have not been good at SuperSport these days. What has gone wrong? TK: Gavin Hunt has to come up with a plan after losing key players like Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Mbule and Thapelo Maseko to Mamelodi Sundowns. TK: Is the club still on course to qualify for CAF with so few matches left? TK: Can anyone catch or stop Sundowns who have been simply dominant? TK: Why do you think Kaizer Chiefs are no longer the mighty Amakhosi? TK: Let’s go back to the beginning of your career. You started at Lancashire, how was it like joining Bosso?

SuperSport United goalkeeper, Washington Arubi, has been around the block and involved in the Beautiful Game for over 18 years. Even though footballers are considered past their sell-by-date once they reach the 30-year mark, the 38-year-old feels renewed and rejuvenated, so much that he even believes that he could surpass the mark set by Italian Gianluigi Buffon, who retired after 45 years. In this interview with Soccer Laduma’s Thomas Kwenaite, the Zimbabwean international reveals the secret of his longevity in the game, he mentions a Mamelodi Sundowns player as his toughest opponent and gives his honest opinions on Kaizer Chiefs.

Washington Arubi: Yes, things haven’t been going the way we would have wanted to go as a team. But remember this is a relatively new team with some youngsters thrown into the fray. I wouldn’t say we haven’t done well because I strongly believe we still have what it takes to claim a Champions League spot. The team has actually promoted some young boys and given them game time. We have seen what Shandre Campbell has done at the age of 18. The boy has more than once single-handedly carried the team on his shoulders producing some great performances.

WA: Besides the results, we also have to see the positive side of the development team. These boys are our leaders of tomorrow and I’m sure moulding a team around them is a big bonus for SuperSport United because they will definitely grow with the culture of the team. I’m definitely sure it will yield the much-desired results and trophies will be delivered because we all know Rome was not built in a day.

WA: We are working very hard to retain a CAF finish, and we are very positive that we can achieve it. We have a good and competitive squad with a father figure in Gavin Hunt, who inspires everyone to want to play for him and give their all. We haven’t had the results we desired in the past few games, but everyone is optimistic that we will attain a CAF finish. But with the way the lads and the coaching staff are determined to achieve that goal, I’m positive we will definitely do it.

WA: About Sundowns my brother, let’s be realistic and admit they have the ammunition and with (more than) 10 points clear and two games in hand, it will be a quite difficult task to dislodge them from the top. Agreed, football is unpredictable and you quite often never know what the football gods might have in store but it won’t come easy for them to surrender their position just like that.

WA: The Kaizer Chiefs issue, if I am to talk about it, I would want to talk about it in a football point of view because I don’t know what happens internally at the team. But what I know is that Chiefs is a big brand not only in South Africa but across Africa. Sometimes in football you go through a rough patch but what is important is how you pick yourself up as a team. Even big teams like Manchester United are going through the same phase, but we wouldn’t say they are a bad team. Remember to never kick a man when he is down because in football, I have witnessed great comebacks and it can happen at Chiefs as well. I would want to see that happen because a healthy and competitive Kaizer Chiefs is good for the League and a bonus for South African football.

WA: Joining Bosso (Highlanders) was a huge highlight of my career because it taught me to have that big game mentality at an early age. They are not a small team in Zimbabwe and the supporters demand you to perform at your best week-in, weekout. There was simply no chance to make an excuse of not giving your all in every game and that actually made me mentally strong. TK: Few players have the distinction of playing for arch-rivals but you moved from Highlanders to Dynamos. Was that not difficult? WA: Moving from Highlanders to

Dynamos was a huge decision I made because it wasn’t that easy. You can imagine Brian Baloyi moving from Chiefs to Pirates kind of like scenario. In my case, I had to sometimes lock myself in the house until the other camp eventually accepted the fact that I had gone across town. But obviously with the label of a “traitor” hanging over your neck, being Washington and having a big heart, I just accepted reality and enjoyed my moments with

Dynamos. I won trophies and not taking away the fact that I still hold the record of being the last goalkeeper to win the much-coveted Soccer Star Of The Year award in my country.

TK: How do you feel about Khama Billiat finally getting a club and playing albeit in Zimbabwe after struggling for so long to find employment?

WA: I’m actually happy for Khama that he is now playing. He took a football decision to go wh ere he felt he would be happy. At the end, as footballers all we ever want is to play and be happy. I’m sure Khama is happy at Yadah FC. Even though it’s a team that just started, but I applaud them for their professionalism because in just a few seasons in the top-flight they already have world class facilities. It is something good in Zimbabwe to bring a player of Khama’s calibre. I have also seen they have also signed Evans Rusike, so you see how serious they are because both are quality players.

TK: In your career, you scored a single goal while at Stellenbosch FC, tell us what happened?

WA: Hahaha…. you know for us goalkeepers you can play for over 20 years but still fail to score because we are usually remembered by the saves, we make more than the goals we score. That about sums up why I have only one goal that I scored whilst I was still at Stellenbosch, and it was from the penalty spot.

TK: How much do you and Ricardo Goss complement each other?

WA: Ricardo is like a brother to me. We complement each other very well and we always push each other to do well. That’s why you see that he has been exceptional for the team. It’s sad in our position that we can’t both play but I’m sure if we both played at the same time we would strike a great combination because we have developed a top-notch understanding. Whenever he executes a great save or saves a penalty, I’m happier than him and that goes the other way as well.

TK: How much has goalkeeper coach Grant Johnson contributed to your development?

WA: I would write a 100-page book about our goalkeeper coach Grant Johnson. I attribute my success to that man through his tutorials. I left SuperSport and went on to win the Nedbank Cup Player of the tournament and the Nedbank Cup. I played the final twice as a TTM and Marumo Gallants player and qualified to play in the CAF competition. I learnt so much from him. Look at Ronwen (Williams), (Ricardo) Goss, Veli (Mothwa) and myself. We are all products of his lessons. Even if I venture into coaching, he is definitely one to be on my speed dial. What makes coach Grant special is the way he conducts his training methods and the way he pushes you as player to keep doing more and he has a good eye for talent.

TK: At 38 years, what keeps you going and motivated?

WA: You know what they say about us goalkeepers “maturing with age like fine wine….” What keeps me going is hard work and determination to do better than yesterday. I take training seriously. I’m also an avid reader of inspirational books in my spare time and I’m actually reading the “The Power Of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent. But I can’t take away the fact that I owe my longevity to the Almighty. So, it’s God first and the rest will take care of itself.

TK: Zimbabwe is in the same group with South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, you must be looking forward to the match in June?

WA: The battle of Limpopo to us is like a World Cup Final itself. I’m eagerly looking forward to it and I personally will tell you I don’t want to lose that match. Within Southern Africa, it’s a battle of the titans and remember there is also a World Cup qualification slot at stake. If I would have it my way, a last dance with my national team is a World Cup qualification. That will be mission accomplished as far as my career is concerned and I will retire a happy man. We have already started teasing each other with teammate Ricardo Goss about the game so you see we are already building up the tension already.

TK: How much did the FIFA suspension affect football in Zimbabwe?

WA: It affected us a lot, especially us footballers because it hal ted continuity of the national teams. It was difficult for players to get contracts abroad as no one noticed us players because we couldn’t play CAF club matches or national assignments. But I’m glad the suspension was lifted and we are back in the international arena.

TK: You received a red card against Benghazi even though SuperSport won 2-1, what did you do?

WA: Oooh, you really have to bring that up my brother? Anyway, that red card was one of tho se moments when I had to take one for the team. We were caught up with our pants down in a situ

ation that could have changed the result. I’m glad in the end we won the match though.

TK: Why are more players suffering from mental challenges these days?

WA: Football can affect you mentally that’s why at SuperSport we have psychologist coming to talk to us. People only see us on television and demand results and sometimes they don’t consider us as human beings and it can affect us mentally. I don’t blame players when they suffer a mental breakdown. That’s why you see big teams keep senior players so that they can guide the youngsters through the challenges they encounter. Senior players are always there for a reason not just to make up the numbers. We are also there to provide emotional support and balance in the dressing room. As senior players we have obligations to even take our young boys out for lunch just to provide that mental stability because football is not only played on the pitch it also requires a healthy state of mind and affairs outside the playing field as well.

TK: Do SuperSport have plans in place that prepare players for life after football?

WA: SuperSport takes care of their players after football. I can just give you a good example of my fellow countryman coach Kaitano Tembo and here in South Africa Thabo September is another example. But remember being a loyal servant is the first step you need to take in order to be considered. You cannot expect to be taken care of, yet you were not a loyal servant. Kennedy Mweene has been loyal to Sundowns and they rewarded him with a position. You might be at the club for 10 years but if you were not loyal it will be difficult for the team to reward you at the end of your career.

TK: Which player do you model your game on, a player that you admire?

WA: Former Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has always been my role model. And the fact that he played up to 45 years inspires me more. I want to emulate that achievement as well because I feel I still have the energy to keep up with the pace at this level for at least another two to three seasons before I call it time barring any serious injuries of course and obviously God willing.

TK: Which players have given you grief, your toughest opponents?

WA: Man, it has to be Teboho Mokoena. That fellow has the knack to catch you off guard at the most unexpected period. You are supposed to be alert and on your toes. But then he pops up and sends a missile your way when you least expected him. He has been a worthy but difficult opponent and seems to always get the better of me every time I face him.

TK: Thank you Wash, and best of luck!

WA: I personally thank you from the bottom of my heart for considering me! ❐