Chabangu gets another chance, again
Ex-Bafana star vows to be better at lowly Baberwa
New Baberwa signing Lerato Chabangu is planning to make the most of his stay with the ABC Motsepe League outfit. “Ace” is back in the game after penning a six-month deal with the Midrand-based club. The 33-year-old former Bafana Bafana midfielder last played for Pretoria Callies, also in the Motsepe League, last year. He was in the news in the past few months after an old photo of him holding a beer and looking dirty on the sidelines of a football match surfaced on social media. Chabangu later clarified that it was an old image from seven years ago, but it had triggered interest from Baberwa boss Joe Seanego, who has since handed him a lifeline. “I’m feeling great my man, because it’s been long without me playing, and playing is something that is in me since I was born,” he said from the club’s training ground yesterday. “It’s a good feeling to come back and play football. “I’m too much committed because they gave me the chance that no one wanted to give me. So I have to show my gratefulness. “The environment is very good and they have a lot of quality players. We’ve got a lot to offer this time.” Baberwa is home to a lot of ex-PSL players such as Tefu Mashamaite, Luyolo Nomandela, Lucky Khune, Khethokwakhe Masuku, Bheki Nzunga, Linda Shiba and Mthokozisi Yende. The man who aided in getting Chabangu back on the football field is Pontsho Madumo, who’s the owner of Cream Sports Management. “We went to his hometown Tembisa and tracked him down. We met and spoke about how we could help revive his career,” Madumo said. “I then met Bra Joe, who agreed to give him a chance. “For us as a new company, we are gaining experience by working with people like Lerato, who have been long in the game. We get to know the advantages and disadvantages of working with their previous agents, so we are learning these kind of things from them,” he added. Baberwa are top of the Gauteng stream and are three points ahead of JDR Stars with 10 matches still remaining.
As it’s mainly their propensity of signing Premier Soccer League (PSL) rejects that has popularised Gauteng ABC Motsepe Baberwa United, little is known about the club’s other peculiarities.
Former Kaizer Chiefs trio of Tefu Mashamaite, Lucky Khune and Mthokozisi Yende are among a number of former PSL stars who have found a warm home at Baberwa as they aim to revive their ailing careers. During Sowetan’s visit at the club’s rather top-class training grounds, especially for a third-tier side, in Glen Austin suburb near Midrand yesterday, the atmosphere was electrifying with the likes of Mashamaite, Yende, Khethokwakhe Masuku and Luyolo Nomandela, among other jubilant players, cracking jokes throughout the training session.
Club chairman Joe Seanego, 43, did not waste time, taking us for a walkabout inside their handsomely built place. The jaunt inside the club’s base to viewing their facilities, explained why bigname players find it easy to join Baberwa. Apart from a big swimming pool that catches the eye upon your arrival, the place also boasts two big houses with built-in opulent changing rooms and rooms to house some of the senior players, all this with running water and top-notch furniture.
With all their swanky set-up, Seanego – an electrical engineer by profession – was quick to dismiss the notion that the club is one of the richest at their level. Without naming anyone, the Baberwa chairman said their highest-paid players pocket only R8,000 per month.
“No… we are not rich. We are lucky that we have donors, like last month someone
No... we are not rich. We are lucky that we have donors
from Cape Town donated 24 balls. I cannot lie to you. These players are not expensive at all, because they are here due to passion, not money. All the senior players earn R8,000… the juniors get R6,000.” “We are planning to open an academy and recruit youngsters. I will choose two senior guys [former PSL players] to coach in that academy… most of them are committed to help the club.”