Former Bafana Bafana defender Siyabonga Sangweni has recalled the incredible story of how he escaped from Kaizer Chiefs' clutches, not once but twice, only to later end up at rivals Orlando Pirates.
Sangweni, who was forced into quitting the game in 2016 at age 34, had his retirement announced personally by Pirates boss Irvin Khoza.
Such was his greatness.
He was an immense figure in the Buccaneers squad during their double-treble days, but really rose to prominence at Lamontville Golden Arrows under then head coach Manqoba Mngqithi.
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However, many do not know that the former tough tackler had actually been at the Amakhosi youth ranks and quite literally escaped before finding his way to the KwaZulu-Natal outfit.
"The team I was playing for fetched me from Chiefs' academy," Sangweni revealed.
He was speaking to journalists at the official launch of the Siyabonga Sangweni Sports Complex in Dondotha, KZN on Saturday.
"In 1999, I was in the Kaizer Chiefs academy, but I ran away. Bobby [Motaung] knows that story.
With guys like Jabu Pule [now Mahlangu] and [Nhlanhla] Kubheka, we were part of the group that was going to be promoted.
"But I looked at this thing of being given R200 [stipend for Chiefs academy players then] to buy a bathing soap, while at home there is a team that is offering me R1500," reveals the soft-spoken Sangweni.
He was chuffed at the prospect of the latter, for it meant he could share some of his earnings with his mother.
"So, I called them (Bongani FC owners) to come to fetch me. They came to Joburg and sneaked me out at night.
"At Chiefs, when they woke up, I was gone.
"They eventually saw me again at Golden Arrows and they did even speak up to say, 'Hey, that's our player', but it was too late. They were still giving me R200 to buy soap."
Football gods doesn't make defenders like Siyabonga Sangweni anymore pic.twitter.com/yCNSY0xBzF
— Lutendo ???? (@JosephKrobbie) May 15, 2020
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In what was a case of déjà vu, Amakhosi yet again lost out on Sangweni's services in 2010. Despite having penned a deal with them, late intervention from Khoza, who used his power of persuasion on Arrows chairlady Mato Madlala, saw 'Ntsimbi' go on to don the famous Black and White jersey.
"It was tricky for me because my father wanted me to play for Chiefs, and my mother wanted me to join Pirates," explained Sangweni.
"I'm someone who consulted with my parents a lot. Before her passing, my mother hand handed me over to Mato and she told me that, 'This is your mother, whatever you do in football, you follow her advice'.
"So, I told Mato that I was going to join Chiefs, and she said, 'Okay'. I sighed and everything was agreed."
However, when he later called Madlala to inform her that he had crossed all the t's and dotted all the i's regarding his move to Naturena, nothing could have prepared his ears for what they were about to hear.
"She told me that there had been a change, that Pirates wanted me.
"I told her I had already signed with Chiefs, and she told me not to worry. I resisted a bit, until the chairman [Khoza] called me. He said, 'We've spoken to your mother [Madlala] and you belong here'. I then agreed.
Sangweni played just over 235 top-flight matches and made 29 appearances for Bafana Bafana.
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