In our exciting feature, How I Became a Goalkeeper, KickOff speaks to former AmaZulu FC, Chippa United and Platinum Stars goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela.
The 38-year-old Empangeni-born former goalkeeper explains how he decided to be a goalkeeper after starting out as a free-scoring outfield player.
I'm sure you have an interesting story to tell about how you became a goalkeeper.
"I was very good playing inside; I didn't start as a goalkeeper. I could adjust to any position.
"I was not necessarily a striker, but I loved scoring goals. I played a free role, so I didn't depend on our strikers to score goals for me.
"I was 14 years old when I started playing as a goalkeeper. I started playing football at the age of 9.
"Growing up me and my friend would go to a park with a soccer ball and shoot at each other, at the same time playing as goalkeepers. We used to call it umakorelana or umakhahlelena.
"Because of all the diving and stuff, I realised I could also make a good goalkeeper.
"In my first real game at Eskhawini, I think I was 15 years old, I kept goals for our Ward and everybody who was there was very impressed with my efforts. I made three important saves. To be honest I chose goalkeeping because I hated running.
"From there onwards, I never looked back. That's how I became a goalkeeper."
Who are some of the goalkeepers you grew up following or looked up to?
"Those days I was supporting Orlando Pirates, but I was a huge fan of Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brian Baloyi.
"I loved the competition that existed between him and Williams Okpara of Orlando Pirates.