In our exciting feature My Welcome to the League Moment, KickOff catches up with former Kaizer Chiefs and Mpumalanga Black Aces defender Gordon Gilbert on his start as a footballer.
The retired defender signed for Chiefs after enjoying an impressive season with AmaZayoni.
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"I remember a game against Mamelodi Sundowns, do you remember Mbulelo Old-John Mabizela?" Gilbert tells KickOff.
"It was at that stadium in Mafikeng, it was a Chiefs versus Sundowns game.
"If I remember very well, it was pre-season in 2008.
"I remember in Mafikeng the stadium was full that day. It was Chiefs against Sundowns.
"I remember he was marking me during a corner kick, and we both went for a header.
"And he elbowed me, and I landed on my buttocks.
"While I was down there, he helped me up and said to me, welcome to big-time football. And that was my first year in the PSL.
"I told him to fuck off. After that, we had mutual respect for one another.
"He was a tough guy, he was a brave football player, he was very good. That's what stands out to me.
"We beat them on penalties. The semi-final was against Sundowns and the final was against Pirates.
"And Clement Mazibuko was one guy who gave me a rough time in my early days in the PSL.
"He played for Thanda Royal Zulu. We were playing at Kings Park Stadium. He was on form that day and he gave a tough time.
"And Siphiwe Tshabalala was playing in front of me, and he never liked to chase back so I was always up against two wingers. The right-back and the right-winger.
"So, it was always a 2 v 1. Clement Mazibuko was unbelievably good playing at Thanda Royal Zulu.
"He was a tough character to play against. I tried to kick him, but he was fast, so for me to succeed in doing that I had to get close to him first.
"He was one of the best players I played against."
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