How Nkausu found his calling
TUKS FELT HE WAS ALL WASHED UP, BUT THEN BAROKA TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND
For a seasoned international with many trophies in his cabinet, it is quite amazing to think that at the start of this year, no one seemed to care about Davies Nkausu and he was on the brink of retiring.
Not even his agent answered his calls after Tuks released the Zambian defender, who won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with Chipolopolo and was part of the SuperSport United team who won the league title three consecutive times from 2007 to 2010.
It was a trying time for the Zambian, but something else told him to carry on.
And his efforts paid off as a call from Baroka came for the 32-year-old free agent, who signed in October. And after just two months with Bakgaga, he is now a Telkom Knockout winner after they beat Orlando Pirates 3-2 on penalties at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
“I thought I should just hang up my boots and focus on other things. But something told me to keep pushing because it wasn’t the time for me to hang up my boots,” said the defender.
“After Tuks, not even my agent answered my calls, this guy turned his back on me. But I gave everything to God and I received a call from Baroka and here are I am today standing as a champion,” he says proudly.
“When Tuks released me they didn’t give me a reason. I would just hear rumours from other players they were complaining I was old, but then they signed Mame Niang.”
Helping Baroka to their maiden trophy in top-flight football is one of my best achievements, Nkausu says.
“To be honest, the young boys listen to our advice and we talk during training sessions and games. They work their socks off,” he continues.
“These boys put in hard work at training and follow instructions from the coach. As big as Pirates are, we didn’t show them respect. We do respect them, but on the field it is 11 against 11, you can’t pull out. We went all out and here is the benefit.”
The veteran defender has predicted a great future for the Baroka youngsters and says they should remain consistent in their performances and work hard.
But, he wants them to focus on taking their talent overseas, rather than only dreaming of playing for big clubs in the country.
“If they keep their feet on the ground and stay disciplined, they will go places. Some will make it to big clubs. But I advise them to look beyond that, they should go overseas and not focus on playing for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates or Mamelodi Sundowns,” he continues.
“I don’t blame players for wanting to play for big teams in South Africa. But when you arrive at that particular club, you get injured and they stop playing you. After that you are no longer a favourite like you used to be and where do you go after that? There are lots of examples.”
Nkausu revealed he was once approached by Pirates after winning the Afcon in 2012 with his native country, but instead of making a quick decision to move, he had to look at some things first, so the move never materialised.
“It’s not like I didn’t want to play for a big team because there was no interest, there was interest. I just asked myself am I going to play when I get there? Hence I decided to stay with SuperSport United for a very long time and here I am still in the picture.”